Arizona § 32-929 - Right to examine and copy evidence; summoning witnesses and documents; taking testimony; right to counsel; court aid; process

§ 32-929. Right to examine and copy evidence; summoning witnesses and documents; taking testimony; right to counsel; court aid; process

A. In connection with an investigation by the board on its own motion, the board or its duly authorized agents or employees shall at all reasonable times have access to, for the purpose of examination, and the right to copy any documents, reports, records or any other physical evidence of any person being investigated, or the reports, records and any other documents maintained by and in possession of any hospital, clinic, physician's office, laboratory, pharmacy or any other public or private agency, and any health care institution as defined in section 36-401, if such documents, reports, records or evidence relate to chiropractic competence, unprofessional conduct or the mental or physical ability of a doctor of chiropractic to safely practice chiropractic.

B. For the purpose of all investigations and proceedings conducted by the board:

1. The board on its own initiative, or upon application of any person involved in the investigation, may issue subpoenas compelling the attendance and testimony of witnesses, or demanding the production for examination or copying of documents or any other physical evidence if such evidence relates to chiropractic competence, unprofessional conduct or the mental or physical ability of a doctor of chiropractic to safely practice chiropractic. Within five days after the service of a subpoena on any person requiring the production of any evidence in his possession or under his control, such person may petition the board to revoke, limit or modify the subpoena. The board shall revoke, limit or modify such subpoena if in its opinion the evidence required does not relate to unlawful practices covered by this chapter, is not relevant to the charge which is the subject matter of the hearing or investigation or does not describe with sufficient particularity the physical evidence whose production is required.

2. Any person appearing before the board may be represented by counsel.

3. The superior court, upon application by the board or by the person subpoenaed, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order either:

(a) Requiring such person to appear before the board or the duly authorized agent to produce evidence relating to the matter under investigation.

(b) Revoking, limiting or modifying the subpoena if in the court's opinion the evidence demanded does not relate to unlawful practices covered by this chapter, is not relevant to the grounds for censure, suspension, revocation, fines or refusal to issue a license pursuant to section 32-924 which is the subject matter of the hearing or investigation, or does not describe with sufficient particularity the evidence whose production is required. Any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as contempt.

C. Patient records, including clinical records, medical reports, laboratory statements and reports, any file, film, any other report or oral statement relating to examinations, findings or treatment of patients, any information from which a patient or his family might be identified or information received and records kept by the board as a result of the investigation procedure outlined in this chapter are not available to the public.

D. Nothing in this section or any other provision of law making communications between a chiropractic physician and his patient a privileged communication applies to investigations or proceedings conducted pursuant to this chapter. The board and its employees, agents and representatives shall keep in confidence the names of any patients whose records are reviewed during the course of investigations and proceedings pursuant to this chapter.