Evidence Rule 518

Rule 518. Social Worker Privilege

N.J.S.A. 45:15BB-13provides:

A social worker licensed or certified pursuant to the provisions of this act shall not be required to disclose any confidential information that the social worker may have acquired from a client or patient while performing social work services for that client or patient unless:

a. Disclosure is required by other State law;

b. Failure to disclose the information presents a clear and present danger to the health or safety of an individual;

c. The social worker is a party defendant to a civil, criminal or disciplinary action arising from the social work services provided, in which case a waiver of the privilege accorded by this section shall be limited to that action;

d. The patient or client is a defendant in a criminal proceeding and the use of the privilege would violate the defendants right to a compulsory process or the right to present testimony and witnesses on that persons behalf; or

e. A patient or client agrees to waive the privilege accorded by this section, and, in circumstances where more than one person in a family is receiving social work services, each such member agrees to the waiver. Absent a waiver from each family member, a social worker shall not disclose any information received from any family member.
HISTORY:Adopted September 15, 1998 to be effective July 1, 1999.