2017 New York Laws
MHY - Mental Hygiene
Title E - General Provisions
Article 33 - Rights of Patients
33.25 - Release of Records Pertaining to Allegations and Investigations of Abuse and Mistreatment.

33.25 Release  of records pertaining to allegations and investigations
        of abuse and mistreatment.
(a) Records and documents pertaining to allegations and investigations
  into reportable incidents at a facility, as defined in  subdivision  six
  of  section  1.03  of  this  chapter,  including  but not limited to all
  complaints and reports made pursuant to article  eleven  of  the  social
  services  law,  shall  be  released to a qualified person, as defined in
  paragraph six of subdivision (a) of section 33.16 of this article,  upon
  a  written  request by such qualified person. Such records and documents
  shall be made available by the appropriate office within twenty-one days
  of the conclusion of its investigation,  provided  that  the  names  and
  other personally identifying information of other patients and employees
  shall  not  be  included  unless  such  patients and employees authorize
  disclosure.
(b) Records and reports released in accordance with this section shall
  be released pursuant to subdivision (b) of section 33.23 of this article
  and shall not be further disseminated by the recipient, provided that  a
  recipient  may  share  any  records  and reports with: (i) a health care
  provider; (ii) a behavioral health care provider; (iii) law  enforcement
  if  the  recipient  believes  a  crime  has  been committed; or (iv) the
  recipient's attorney.
(c) A cover letter shall accompany records  and  reports  released  in
  accordance  with this section and shall state: PURSUANT TO SECTION 33.25
  OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, THE ATTACHED RECORDS AND REPORTS SHALL NOT BE
  FURTHER DISSEMINATED, EXCEPT THAT YOU MAY SHARE THE REPORT WITH:  (i)  A
  HEALTH  CARE PROVIDER; (ii) A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER; (iii) LAW
  ENFORCEMENT, IF YOU BELIEVE A CRIME HAS BEEN  COMMITTED;  OR  (iv)  YOUR
  ATTORNEY.
(d)  Nothing  in  this  section  shall  prohibit  the  receipt, use or
  dissemination of any such records, reports, information  or  results  of
  investigations  or  inquiry by any patient, former patient, or qualified
  person or person or official specified in paragraph (i), (ii), (iii)  or
  (iv) of subdivision (b) of this section acting on behalf of any patient,
  former  patient  or  patient's estate, in any legal action or proceeding
  brought by or on behalf of such patient,  former  patient  or  patient's
  estate.