1. A. A counselor shall:

   1. (1) Maintain the privacy and confidentiality of a client and a client's records;
   2. (2) Release mental health records or information about a client only with a client's consent, or as permitted by Health-General Article, Title 4, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland;
   3. (3) Release alcohol and substance abuse records or information about a client only with a client's consent, or as permitted by State and federal law;
   4. (4) Dispose of records in accordance with Health-General Article, Title 4, Annotated Code of Maryland;

   5. (5) Provide sufficient information to a client to allow a client to make an informed decision regarding treatment, including the following:

      1. (a) The purpose and nature of an evaluation or treatment process;
      2. (b) Additional options to the proposed treatment;
      3. (c) Potential reactions to the proposed treatment;
      4. (d) The estimated cost of treatment;
      5. (e) The right of a client to withdraw from treatment at any time, including the possible risks that may be associated with withdrawal; and
      6. (f) The right of a client to decline treatment, if part or all of the treatment is to be recorded for research or review by another person;
   6. (6) Obtain full informed consent of a client participating in a human research program; and
   7. (7) Protect a client's autonomy and dignity to decide whether to participate in a human research program.
2. B. A counselor may not imply that a penalty may result if a client refuses to participate in a human research program.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§1-212 and 17-205, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: July 10, 1989 (16:13 Md. R. 1422)

Chapter revised effective April 3, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 642)

Regulations .01—.06 repealed and new Regulations .01—.11 adopted effective October 1, 2001 (28:19 Md. R. 1685)