---
title: O.C.G.A. § 37-2-38. Confidentiality; disclosure of information.
collection: code
id: 37-2-38
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 37-2-38 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-2-38
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-2-38.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-2-38/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t37-t39-(v28)-2021-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=c6b9c518_0#page=122
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.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: MENTAL HEALTH / ADMINISTRATION OF MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, ADDICTIVE DISEASES, AND OTHER DISABILITY SERVICES / ADMINISTRATION OF MENTAL DISABILITY SERVICES / OFFICE OF DISABILITY SERVICES OMBUDSMAN
---

# O.C.G.A. § 37-2-38. Confidentiality; disclosure of information.

(a) The identity of any complainant or individual providing information on behalf of the consumer or complainant relevant to the investigation of a complaint shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed without the express written permission of such person, unless such disclosure is necessary for the department or services provider to protect the safety, well-being, or rights of a consumer; provided, however, that if the complaint becomes the subject of a judicial or administrative proceeding, the identity of such persons may be disclosed for the purpose of the proceeding.

(b) The identity of any and all consumers involved in or mentioned in an investigation, whether as a complainant or otherwise, shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed without the express written consent of the consumer or a person legally authorized to consent for the consumer.

## History

Code 1981, § 37-2-38, enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133, § 3/HB 535.