Montana Code Annotated 2017

TITLE 37. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS

CHAPTER 23. PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING

Part 3. Regulation -- Penalties

Privileged Communications -- Exceptions

37-23-301. Privileged communications -- exceptions. A licensee may not disclose any information the licensee acquires from clients consulting the licensee in a professional capacity except:

(1) with the written consent of the client or, in the case of the client's death or mental incapacity, with the written consent of the client's personal representative or guardian;

(2) that the licensee need not treat as confidential a communication otherwise confidential that reveals the contemplation of a crime by the client or any other person or that in the licensee's professional opinion reveals a threat of imminent harm to the client or others;

(3) that if the client is a minor and information acquired by the licensee indicates that the client was the victim of a crime, the licensee may be required to testify fully in relation to the information in any investigation, trial, or other legal proceeding in which the commission of that crime is the subject of inquiry;

(4) that if the client or the client's personal representative or guardian brings an action against a licensee for a claim arising out of the counselor-client relationship, the client is considered to have waived any privilege;

(5) to the extent that the privilege is otherwise waived by the client; and

(6) as may otherwise be required by law.

History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 572, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1390, Ch. 56, L. 2009.