19708. (Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 758, Sec. 9.)

(a) Information in the appellant’s case record shall, upon request and proper identification, be disclosed to the person or his or her authorized representative. Medical, psychological, or other information which the department believes may be harmful to the person shall not be released directly to that person, but shall be provided through his or her authorized representative, including, but not limited to, a physician or a licensed or certified psychologist. All records made or kept by any public officer or agency in connection with the administration of any vocational rehabilitation program shall be open for inspection by the applicant or client to which the information relates and by any other person authorized in writing by the applicant or client. The written authorization shall be dated and signed by the applicant or client and shall expire one year from the date of execution.

(b) In the event of any hearing under the provisions of this chapter, the authorized representative of the appellant shall be entitled to inspect the case record relating to the appellant prior to, as well as during, the hearing.