Opinion ID: 1749026
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Discovery of Medical Records of Complaining Witness.

Text: McGrath sought to discover the medical records of Heather Williams, the complaining witness in count I. The board produced a one-page report from a physician treating Williams for mental health issues, but stated it did not have possession, custody, or control of any other medical records concerning Williams. McGrath's motion to compel was denied by the commission. Subsequently, the respondent deposed Williams and questioned her extensively concerning her mental health problems and treatment. Williams refused to answer questions regarding her treatment or to voluntarily produce her medical records. McGrath complains on appeal that he was prevented from properly defending the charges against him because he did not have access to Williams' mental health records. Before prejudice becomes relevant, however, there must a demonstration of error in a commission ruling. The only ruling before us for review is the commission's refusal to compel the board to produce Williams' medical and mental health records. The respondent does not indicate how this decision was incorrect other than to assert that Iowa allows very liberal access to records, including medical records. We find no merit in the respondent's challenge to the commission's ruling. Iowa Court Rule 35.6 states that discovery shall be permitted in a disciplinary action as provided in specified rules of civil procedure, including Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure 1.501 through 1.517. Rule 1.503 permits discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action. Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.503(1) (emphasis added). Rule 1.512 authorizes the production of documents which are in the possession, custody or control of the party upon whom the request is served. Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.512(1). The record before us shows the board did not have possession, custody, or control of Williams' mental health records. Therefore, it had no obligation to produce them for the respondent. Cf. State v. Smith, 522 N.W.2d 591, 594 (Iowa 1994) (holding State, in prosecution of sexual-abuse charge, had no obligation to produce mental health records of complaining witness because requested records were not in State's possession, custody, or control). In addition, Williams did not waive the physician-patient privilege when she made a charge of sexual misconduct against McGrath. Cf. id. at 595 (holding complaining witness had not waived the physician-patient privilege by asserting she did not consent to the defendant's sexual acts). Consequently, the commission properly refused to compel the production of Williams' mental health records. [3]