Under current law, confidential communications between a patient and a
physician, registered nurse, chiropractor, psychologist, social worker, marriage and
family therapist, or professional counselor are privileged and may not be disclosed
to any other person without the patient's permission. There are a number of
exceptions to this privilege, including situations where the examination of an abused
or neglected child creates a reasonable ground for the opinion by the physician,
registered nurse, chiropractor, psychologist, social worker, marriage and family
therapist, or professional counselor that the abuse or neglect was not accidental.
Current law regarding privilege defines "abuse" and "neglect" by reference to
definitions in the Children's Code.

This bill provides that there is no privilege for information contained in a report
of child abuse or neglect provided under the Children's Code section that requires a
large number of professionals, including all of the professionals listed in current law
under the privilege statute, to report possible child abuse or neglect.