2025 Session
Last amended: 2020 session
§ 260E.04 — Evidence
Plain-Language Summary
In child maltreatment cases, most legal privileges that normally protect confidential communications (like therapist-patient or clergy) cannot be used to block evidence of abuse or neglect.
260E.04 EVIDENCE.
No evidence relating to the maltreatment of a child or to any prior incident of maltreatment involving any of the same persons accused of maltreatment shall be excluded in any proceeding arising out of the alleged maltreatment on the grounds of privilege set forth in section 595.02, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), (d), or (g).
History:
History: History:
1Sp2020 c 2 art 7 s 4
Practical Notes
If a child is being abused, the abuser generally cannot hide behind confidentiality rules to keep evidence out of court.