By: Harris, Huffman  S.B. No. 715
         (In the Senate - Filed February 15, 2011; February 23, 2011,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Jurisprudence;
  March 30, 2011, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 7,
  Nays 0; March 30, 2011, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to access to a child's medical records by the child's
  attorney ad litem, guardian ad litem, or amicus attorney.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 107.006, Family Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read
  as follows:
         (a)  In [Except as provided by Subsection (c), in]
  conjunction with an appointment under this chapter, other than an
  appointment of an attorney ad litem for an adult or a parent, the
  court shall issue an order authorizing the attorney ad litem,
  guardian ad litem for the child, or amicus attorney to have
  immediate access to the child and any information relating to the
  child.
         (c)  Without requiring a further order or release, the
  custodian of a [A] medical, mental health, or drug or alcohol
  treatment record of a child that is privileged or confidential
  under other law shall release the record [may be released] to a
  person authorized to access the record [appointed] under Subsection
  (a), except that a child's drug or alcohol treatment record that is
  confidential under 42 U.S.C. Section 290dd-2 may only be released
  as provided under applicable federal regulations [only in
  accordance with the other law].
         (d)  The disclosure of a confidential record under this
  section does not affect the confidentiality of the record, and the
  person provided access to the record may not disclose the record
  further except as provided by court order or other law.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
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