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BAM 310 12 of 29 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO CASE RECORDS BPB 2022-015 7-1-2022

BRIDGES ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Mental Health Documents All Programs The client or representative may review and copy mental health documents in the case record except any portions the department determines would be detrimental to the client or someone else if disclosed. To be withheld, the document(s) or cover sheet must contain a spe- cific statement by the mental health facility or agency from which MDHHS acquired the records regarding the potential harm of disclosure. A general notation (such as, “Not for Further Release or Copy”) cannot prevent client access. Authority to restrict the release of such documents is contained in Section 748(5)(b) of the Mental Health Code (MCL 330.1748). If it is questionable whether access to certain information is permitted, contact the appropriate policy mailbox; see BEM 100. Record the response in the case record. Note: Mental health records that belong to another adult household member can only be accessed by that individual. Example: Reina is an adult household member on Ben's FAP case. Ben's case record contains Reina's mental health records. If Ben requests access to his case record, he cannot receive any information pertaining to Reina's mental health records. Child Support Specialist Records All Programs Child support specialists' records are not considered client records and so are not available for review by or release to the client or representative. This applies even after the information becomes part of the client record or electronic case file. Before releasing case record materials, you must remove all information gathered by the support specialist regarding an absent parent.