# 42 C.F.R. § 2.17 (2026): Undercover agents and informants

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_17

## Section

- **Citation:** 42 C.F.R. § 2.17 (2026)
- **Heading:** Undercover agents and informants
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 42 CFR: Public Health / Chapter I: PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES / Part 2: CONFIDENTIALITY OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PATIENT RECORDS / Subpart B: General Provisions / § 2.17: § 2.17   Undercover agents and informants.

## Text

(a)
Restrictions on placement.
Except as specifically authorized by a court order granted under § 2.67, no part 2 program may knowingly employ, or enroll as a patient, any undercover agent or informant.
(b)
Restriction on use and disclosure of information.
No information obtained by an undercover agent or informant, whether or not that undercover agent or informant is placed in a part 2 program pursuant to an authorizing court order, may be used or disclosed to criminally investigate or prosecute any patient.
[82 FR 6115, Jan. 18, 2017, as amended at 89 FR 12622, Feb. 16, 2024]

## Nearby sections

- [42 C.F.R. § 2.11 (2026) § 2.11   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_11.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.12 (2026) § 2.12   Applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_12.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.13 (2026) § 2.13   Confidentiality restrictions and safeguards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_13.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.14 (2026) § 2.14   Minor patients.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_14.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.15 (2026) § 2.15   Patients who lack capacity and deceased patients.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_15.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.16 (2026) § 2.16   Security for records and notification of breaches.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_16.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.17 (2026) § 2.17   Undercover agents and informants.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_17.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.18 (2026) § 2.18   Restrictions on the use of identification cards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_18.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.19 (2026) § 2.19   Disposition of records by discontinued programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_19.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.20 (2026) § 2.20   Relationship to state laws.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_20.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.21 (2026) § 2.21   Relationship to federal statutes protecting research subjects against compulsory disclosure of their identity.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_21.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.22 (2026) § 2.22   Notice to patients of Federal confidentiality requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_22.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.23 (2026) § 2.23   Patient access and restrictions on use and disclosure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_23.md)
- [42 C.F.R. § 2.24 (2026) § 2.24   Requirements for intermediaries.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_24.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T42_P2_S2_17. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.