N.C. Gen. Stat. » Chapter 8
NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53.1 (2026)

Physician-patient and nurse privilege; limitations

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 8-53 and G.S. 8-53.13, the physician-patient or nurse privilege shall not be a ground for excluding evidence regarding the abuse or neglect of a child under the age of 16 years or regarding an illness of or injuries to such child or the cause thereof in any judicial proceeding related to a report pursuant to the North Carolina Juvenile Code, Chapter 7B of the General Statutes of North Carolina.

(b) Nothing in this Article shall preclude a health care provider, as defined in G.S. 90-21.11, from disclosing information pursuant to G.S. 90-21.20B. (1965, c. 472, s. 2; 1971, c. 710, s. 2; 1981, c. 469, s. 24; 1998-202, s. 13(b); 2004-186, s. 16.2; 2006-253, s. 18; 2007-115, s. 4.)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases, 1967–2016 · leading case: State v. Etheridge, 352 S.E.2d 673 (N.C. 1987).
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State v. Etheridge, 352 S.E.2d 673 (N.C. 1987). · cites it 30× “Any privilege of confidentiality to which defendant might possibly have been entitled by section 8-53 was nullified by N.C.G.S. §§ 8-53.1 and 7A-551 under the facts of this case.”
State v. Godbey, 792 S.E.2d 820 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 17× “Byler , this Court examined and compared the language of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53.1 (regarding the physician-patient privilege) and N.”
State v. Efird, 309 S.E.2d 228 (N.C. 1983). · cites it 4× “However, we have determined that N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53.1 is controlling here.”
In Re Williams, 152 S.E.2d 317 (N.C. 1967). · cites it 2× “In recognition of the sociological value of free communication between one and his spiritual advisor, G.S. 8-53.1 provides: *77 “No clergyman, ordained minister, priest, rabbi or accredited Christian Science practitioner of an established church or religious organization shall…”
State v. Byler, 605 S.E.2d 11 (N.C. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 4× “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53.1 (2003) (emphasis added).”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53.1(a) — 1 case
State v. Godbey, 792 S.E.2d 820 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016). “Byler , this Court examined and compared the language of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53.1 (regarding the physician-patient privilege) and N.”
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