Opinion ID: 2092596
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Seider's 51-page Explanation Violated Principle 5.02

Text: [¶ 21] The Board found that Seider violated Principle 5.02 (see supra note 5) when she gave confidential information to DHS without a release and beyond [sic] the scope of the investigative subpoena. The investigative subpoena asked for [a]ny and all notes, records, reports, and evaluations, regarding [the daughter, the father, the mother, and the son]. [¶ 22] Seider argues that Principle 5.05 (see supra note 10) allows psychologists to disclose confidential information when mandated by law. She contends that 22 M.R.S.A. §§ 4011 and 4012 [see infra notes 19 and 22] required her to make a report setting forth `any ... information... [she] believe[d] may be helpful' to the Department's investigation. Seider argues that these provisions immunize her from liability for her 51-page explanation and, accordingly, the Board erred in finding that she violated Section 5.02 with respect to this report. [¶ 23] By creating the 51-page explanation, in which she divulged detailed evaluations of the daughter, made clinical diagnoses regarding the mother and the son, and offered extensive recommendations regarding how DHS should proceed with its investigation, Seider went over and beyond what was asked for in the DHS subpoena. Contrary to her assertions, therefore, there is competent and substantial evidence in the record to support the result reached by the Board. The Board did not err in finding that Seider violated Principle 5.02 of the APA Code.