IN RE: DOE CHILDREN. (2005)

By orders to show cause, dated June 10, 2005, the County Attorney moved for an order demonstrating that good cause has been shown for the disclosure of data pertaining to the alleged substance abuse treatment of the respondent in the above-titled proceeding to terminate the parental rights of the respondent based upon permanent neglect of the children.

An Order to Show Cause and motion papers were served on the following facilities:  Addictions Recovery Program at Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic, Syracuse Community Health Center, St. Joseph's Mental Health Services, Crouse Chemical Dependency, and Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare, as well as upon the attorney for the respondent and the Law Guardian.

The matter was heard at oral argument before the Court on July 7, 2005.   The attorney for Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare, opposed the motion, stating that it is the position of the treatment facility that the following information, which it is willing to turn over to the Court, is sufficient for the purposes of this proceeding:  patient evaluation, if available;  dates of treatment and evidence of failure to attend;  evidence of relapse;  and a discharge summary.   The attorney cited Matter of Brandon A., 165 Misc.2d 736, 630 N.Y.S.2d 850 (Fam. Ct. Monroe Cty.1995).   The Law Guardian supported this position.   The attorney for the respondent stated support for the disclosure of current treatment attendance records.

The County Attorney argued that it is up to the Court to conduct an in camera review of the entire treatment file to identify and to remove any information which is not necessary and relevant to the permanent neglect proceeding rather than having the treatment facility perform this function.

It would appear that all of the attorneys agree that certain treatment information is relevant to this proceeding.   They differ in what information is relevant and who should make that determination.

This court must decide whether good cause exists for the disclosure of information in connection with the respondent's substance abuse treatment.   In its review of the law, the Court considered the requirements of Title 42 of the Uniform Statutory Code, Chapter 1, Part 2 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Mental Hygiene Law § 22.05, and applicable case law.

In assessing whether there is good cause for the disclosure of substance abuse treatment records, the court must weigh the public interest and the need for disclosure against the injury to the patient, to the patient-physician relationship, and to the treatment services.  42 CFR § 2.1 In the case of a noncriminal proceeding, the criteria for disclosure of such records are found in Section 2.64 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Matter of Brandon A. has been cited for the holding that there is no entitlement to disclosure of substance abuse treatment records in an action to terminate parental rights absent a showing that the information is unavailable through nonconfidential sources.   The decision also states that the public interest in providing permanent homes for children “does not provide a sufficient basis to override the strong policy goals in the federal statute” prohibiting the disclosure of such information.  Matter of Brandon A., at 741, 630 N.Y.S.2d 850.

However, this Family Court decision must be read in connection with appellate case law in which it was held to be proper to admit portions of the treatment file in a termination of parental rights proceeding to prove the respondent's failure to attend and complete substance abuse treatment.   Matter of Michael W., 239 A.D.2d 865, 660 N.Y.S.2d 102 (4th Dept.1997);  Matter of Lameek L., 226 A.D.2d 464, 640 N.Y.S.2d 600 (2nd Dept.1996).

Since the decision in 1995 in Brandon A., there has been much legislative action on the federal and state level in connection with the goal of achieving permanency for children.   For example, legislation recently signed into law by the Governor emphasizes the importance of achieving and expediting permanency for children who are placed outside of their homes.   This strong public policy for achieving permanency for children underscores the necessity for the court to have before it all relevant information so that it can decide whether the children have been permanently neglected by a parent.

In the instant proceeding, the public interest and need for disclosure of the treatment records outweigh the interests of the patient and the treatment facility in view of an allegation that the respondent permanently neglected the children by failing to attend, participate, and progress in Court-ordered substance abuse treatment. The respondent's substance abuse records are relevant and necessary as evidence at trial.   The Court will perform the in camera review of the treatment file to identify and remove unnecessary and non-relevant information.

Additionally, the patient records of the various facilities which are sought by the County Attorney are the best evidence of whether the respondent has been successful in substance abuse rehabilitation.

The Court finds that there is good cause for an order granting the disclosure of information pertaining to the respondent's substance abuse treatment, and the County Attorney's motion is granted.   The County Attorney is directed to submit the orders authorizing such disclosure.   Such orders must include the protections and safeguards prescribed in Section 2.64(e) of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

MICHAEL J. HANUSZCZAK, J.