NC H585

Licensed marriage and family therapists and psychiatrists are exempted from mandatory crime reporting requirements when a privilege against disclosure under state law would prevent them from disclosing information.

The exemption applies to privileges under G.S. 8-53.3, 8-53.7, 8-53.8, 8-53.12, attorney-client privilege, and psychiatrist-client or patient privilege.

For licensed marriage and family therapists specifically, the privilege exemption only applies to the primary client and does not extend to other family members.

"Primary client" is defined as a person who consults or is interviewed by a licensed marriage and family therapist for diagnosis or treatment purposes.

The act becomes effective upon passage into law.