The state Supreme Court ruled a social worker could testify about their interaction with a patient in a hearing over involuntary mental health treatment.
When a court decides whether to order someone to receive mental health treatment, they hear from two people acquainted with the patient and two health care professionals.
This week's ruling stems from a case where a person identified only as A.R. underwent an evaluation to decide whether they qualified.
A crisis interventionist assessed A.R. when they came into a hospital, and notified A.R. that their talk was not considered confidential.
A.R. claimed their interaction should be protected by client health care professional privileges. But the Supreme Court ruled A.R. could not establish a confidential relationship because of the social worker’s warning.
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