Section 514-8-A-5 - RecordsCounselors maintain records necessary for rendering professional services to their clients. Client records must completely and accurately document:
(a) counseling provided by the counselor to the client; (b) client progress; (c) contacts and communications between counselor and client that relate to the provision of counseling to the client; and (d) communications between the counselor and persons other than the client that relate to the counselor's provision of counseling to the client. "Communications," as used in this section, specifically includes email. If errors are made in client records, counselors take steps to properly note the correction of such errors. The counselor retains client records for at least five years after the last counselor/client contact, including cases in which the client is deceased. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to the following:
1. Failing to maintain complete and accurate client records;2. Failing to provide a client access to the client's records in accordance with 22 MRSA §§1711-A, 1711-B and 1711-C(10)(C);3. Failing to retain client records as required by this Section; and4. Failing to store or dispose of client records in a way that maintains security and confidentiality, and when providing others with access to the client's records, failing to insure that the content of the information is accurate and unbiased.02-514 C.M.R. ch. 8, § A-5