Lieutenant Robinson, U.S. Navy Flight Instructor, 1992

All Rights Reserved. Copyright 1999 by Ronald Robinson.

NOTICE: The Code section below was REPEALED by Virginia on 2 April 2008

Virginia Code section 20-124.3:1. Custody and visitation; mental health care records; admissibility.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in any case in which custody or visitation of a minor child is at issue pursuant to § 20-124.2, whether in a circuit or district court, the records concerning a parent, kept by any licensed mental health care provider and any information obtained during or from therapy shall be privileged and confidential.

B. In any case in which custody or visitation of a minor child is at issue pursuant to § 20-124.2, whether in a circuit or district court, a mental health care provider licensed in the Commonwealth may not be required to testify on behalf of or against a parent or any of the parent's adult relatives, and may do so only with the advance written consent of the parent. If the mental health care provider testifies, such testimony shall be limited to the custody or visitation case in question, and the provider's records and notes regarding that parent shall be admissible in the court proceeding. However, the court may order a licensed mental health care provider to testify on matters specifically related and limited to suspicion of an abused or neglected child as defined in § 63.2-100 of the Code of Virginia.

C. Nothing in this section shall supercede the provisions of § 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia related to the required reporting of suspicion of an abused or neglected child.

D. This section shall not apply to mental health care providers who have conducted or are conducting an independent mental health evaluation pursuant to a court order.

Divorce and Family Law in Northern Virginia.  Manassas Virginia Divorce. Prince William Virginia Divorce. Stafford Virginia Divorce. Fairfax Virginia Divorce.