§ 122C-17.  (This Article has a contingent effective date - see note) State/Local Consumer Advocate; confidentiality.

(a) Except as required by law, a Consumer Advocate shall not disclose the following:

(1) Any confidential or privileged information obtained pursuant to G.S. 122C-15 unless the affected individual authorizes disclosure in writing; or

(2) The name of anyone who has furnished information to a Consumer Advocate unless the individual authorizes disclosure in writing.

(b) Violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable only by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00).

(c) All confidential or privileged information obtained under this section and the names of persons providing information to a Consumer Advocate are exempt from disclosure pursuant to Chapter 132 of the General Statutes. Access to substance abuse records and redisclosure of protected information shall be in compliance with federal confidentiality laws protecting medical records. (2001-437, s. 2; 2002-126, s. 10.30; 2003-284, s. 10.10; 2005-276, s. 10.27.)