Opinion ID: 1909537
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: superior court of the district of columbia family division

Text: IN THE MATTERS of D.H., D.H. RESPONDENTS, Sup.Ct., Fam.Div., Neglect Branch, Nos. N098-89, & N098-89, August 1, 1989. Opinion per Burgess, J. Robert A. Garske for Mother. Teresa R. Donohoe for D.H. Laurie McManus for D.C. BURGESS, J.: The issue in this case is whether D.C.Code § 2-1355 (1989 Repl.) [1] authorizes the Court to waive the physician-patient privilege [2] in this neglect proceeding. In In the Matter of O.L., 116 WLR 2733 (D.C.Super.Ct. Nov. 16, 1988), another judge of this Court ruled that section 2-1355 authorized waiver only when the information sought is held by, or contained in reports by, a health professional making a required report pursuant to D.C. Code § 2-1352 (1988 Repl.). Since the information the government seeks here is not held by someone who was required to make a report of neglect or abuse, application of the holding in In the Matter of O.L. would require denial of the government's motion. In an oral ruling, however, this Court, disagreeing with the holding of In the Matter of O.L., held that section 2-1355 provided it with authority to waive the privilege in the present case and went on to order disclosure of some of the patient's records and of the testimony of a St. Elizabeths psychiatrist familiar with her. Because the issue is a recurring one in neglect cases, the Court will here set forth the reasons for its ruling in writing.