Chat
|
Daily Search
|
My GenForum
|
Community Standards
|
Terms of Service
|
|
|
I received the following letter from
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
DAVID L. LAKEY, M.D.
COMMISSIONER 1100 West 49th Street * Austin, Texas 78756
P.O. Box 149347 * Austin, Texas 78714-9347
1-888-963-7111 * www.dshs.state.tx.us
TTY: 1-800-735-2989
April 1, 2009
Via e-mail to: springballey1095@yahoo.com & First Class Mail
Margaret Knox
P.O. box 210281
Bedford, Texas
Re: Request for information on deceased ancestor from Austin State Asylum
Dear Ms. Knox:
In a request dated March 19, 2009, you asked our office to provide information from our Austin
State Hospital records to you regarding the above-referenced person.
On May 4, 2007, the Office of the Attorney General issued a previous determination ruling
OR2007-05273 – copy enclosed) that applies to your request and all requests of its type. The
ruling states that records of a mental health facility that identify a former patient are confidential
under TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. Section 576.005, and authorizes us to withhold such
information. The ruling specifically applies to a person that is deceased.
Only the executor or administrator of a deceased person's estate (who can provide legal proof of
being such) can get access to a mental health record or information taken from a mental health
record regarding a deceased patient. Since you did not submit court-documented proof (i.e.,
Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) that you are the executor or administrator of
your relative’s estate, we could not provide you with any information from any State Hospital,
if such information existed.
We regret that we cannot provide a more positive response. Your request to this agency is
closed. Please let us know if we can assist you with other matters in the future.
Sincerely,
Sherry D. Mansell
Sherry D. Mansell,
For Patricia Reedy DSHS Public Info. Coordinator
Enclosure
Notify Administrator about this message?
Followups:No followups yet |
| http://genforum.genealogy.com/tx/bosque/messages/490.html | ||
 |
Link to GenForum Add Forum |
|