---
title: O.C.G.A. § 26-5-17. Confidentiality of records, names, and communications.
collection: code
id: 26-5-17
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 26-5-17 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5-17
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5-17.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5-17/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t24-t26-(v21)-2023-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=5423edd_0#page=624
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5-16.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: FOOD, DRUGS, AND COSMETICS / DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 26-5-17. Confidentiality of records, names, and communications.

For the purpose of providing more effective treatment and rehabilitation, the records and name of any drug dependent person who seeks or obtains treatment, therapeutic advice, or counsel from any program licensed under this article shall be confidential and shall not be revealed except to the extent authorized in writing by the drug dependent person affected; furthermore, any communication by such drug dependent person to an authorized employee of any holder of a license shall be deemed confidential; provided, however, that, except for matters privileged under other laws of this state, the records of such person and information about such person shall be produced in response to a valid court order of any court of competent jurisdiction after a full and fair show-cause hearing and in response to a departmental request for access for licensing purposes when such request is accompanied by a written statement that no record of patient identifying information will be made.

## History

Ga. L. 1972, p. 714, § 18; Ga. L. 1985, p. 476, § 16; Ga. L. 1986, p. 10, § 26; Ga. L. 1991, p. 94, § 26; Ga. L. 2017, p. 307, § 2/SB 88.

## Law Reviews

For comment, “The Psychotherapist-Client Testimonial Privilege: Defining the Professional Involved,” see 34 Emory L.J. 777 (1985).