2018 Tennessee Code
Title 71 - Welfare
Chapter 6 - Programs and Services for Abused Persons
Part 1 - Adult Protection
§ 71-6-118. Confidentiality of information, reports and proceedings -- Penalties. [Effective until January 1, 2019. See version effective on January 1, 2019.]
(a) The identity of a person who reports abuse, neglect, or exploitation as required under this part is confidential and may not be revealed unless a court with jurisdiction under this part so orders for good cause shown.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this part, it is unlawful for any person, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of this part, to disclose, receive, make use of, authorize or knowingly permit, participate, or acquiesce in the use of any list or the name of, or any information concerning, persons receiving services pursuant to this part, or any information concerning a report or investigation of a report of abuse, neglect, or exploitation under this part, directly or indirectly derived from the records, papers, files or communications of the department of human services or divisions thereof acquired in the course of the performance of official duties.
(c)
(1) When necessary to protect adults in a health care facility licensed by any state agency, such information, reports, and investigations may be disclosed to any agency providing licensing or regulation for that facility; however, the information, reports, and investigations shall retain the protection of subsection (b) when disclosed to such agency and may not be disclosed to, or used by, any other person.
(2) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the department may report to law enforcement or public health authorities any information from its investigations or records regarding illness, disease or injuries obtained in the course of its investigation.
(d) A violation of any provision of this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
