Sec. 144.008.  DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION SUBJECT TO ORDER;  PENALTY.  (a)  A person commits an offense if the person:
(1)  knows of a former mental patient's admission to a mental health facility;
(2)  knows of a court order issued under this chapter that relates to that admission;  and
(3)  intentionally releases, disseminates, or publishes a record or index reference subject to that order.
(b)  A person commits an offense if the person:
(1)  knowingly fails to delete, seal, destroy, or present to the court a record or index reference subject to an order issued under this chapter;  and
(2)  knows or should know that the record or index reference is subject to that order.
(c)  An offense under this chapter is a Class B misdemeanor.
(d)  This chapter does not prohibit an attorney or insurer of a provider or patient from retaining or communicating confidentially about a privileged document as necessary to provide legal advice regarding an actual or potential claim or issue.  The document or communication remains privileged and not subject to a subpoena.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1295, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.