# Ind. Code § 16-39-2-9: Exercise of patient's rights by others; equal access to records; fees

> Indiana · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-9

## Section

- **Citation:** Ind. Code § 16-39-2-9
- **Heading:** Exercise of patient's rights by others; equal access to records; fees
- **Jurisdiction:** Indiana
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Indiana Code / Title 16 / Article 39 / Chapter 2 / Section 16-39-2-9

## Text

Sec. 9. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, the following persons are entitled to exercise the patient's rights on the patient's behalf:

(1) If the patient is a minor, the parent, guardian, or other court appointed representative of the patient.

(2) If the provider determines that the patient is incapable of giving or withholding consent, the patient's guardian, a court appointed representative of the patient, a person possessing a health care power of attorney under IC 30-5-5-16 for the patient, or the patient's health care representative under IC 16-36-1-7 or IC 16-36-7.

(b) A custodial parent and a noncustodial parent of a child have equal access to the child's mental health records unless:

(1) a court has issued an order that limits the noncustodial parent's access to the child's mental health records; and

(2) the provider has received a copy of the court order or has actual knowledge of the court order.

If the provider incurs an additional expense by allowing a parent equal access to a child's mental health records, the provider may require the parent requesting the equal access to pay a fee under IC 16-39-9 to cover the cost of the additional expense.

[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-4-8-3.1(i).]

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.22. Amended by P.L.4-1997, SEC.7; P.L.50-2021, SEC.64.

## Nearby sections

- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-1 Application of chapter](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-1.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-2 Maintenance of records by provider](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-2.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-3 Confidentiality](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-3.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-4 Patient access; restrictions; appeal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-4.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-5 Access to patient's designee or legal representative; written request](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-5.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-5.5 Provider requirements; individualized mental health safety plans](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-5.5.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-6 Disclosure without patient's consent; interpretation of records; immunities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-6.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-7 Discovery or admissibility without patient's consent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-7.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-8 Court ordered release of mental health records; provider provision of records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-8.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-9 Exercise of patient's rights by others; equal access to records; fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-9.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-10 Decedents' records; consent to release](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-10.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-11 Copying fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-11.md)
- [Ind. Code § 16-39-2-12 Application to other mental health records laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-12.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T16_A39_C2_S16-39-2-9. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.