ALASKA COURT RULES

(1) Condition on Element of Claim or Defense. As to communications relevant to the physical, mental or emotional condition of the patient in any proceeding in which the condition of the patient is an element of the claim or defense of the patient, of any party claiming through or under the patient, of any person raising the patient’s condition as an element of that person’s own case, or of any person claiming as a beneficiary of the patient through a contract to which the patient is or was a party; or after the patient’s death, in any proceeding in which any party puts the condition in issue. (2) Crime or Fraud. If the services of the physician or psychotherapist were sought, obtained or used to enable or aid anyone to commit or plan a crime or fraud or to escape detection or apprehension after the commission of a crime or a fraud. (3) Breach of Duty Arising Out of Physician-Patient Relationship. As to a communication relevant to an issue of breach, by the physician, or by the psychotherapist, or by the patient, of a duty arising out of the physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship. (4) Proceedings for Hospitalization. For communications relevant to an issue in proceedings to hospitalize the patient for physical, mental or emotional illness, if the physician or psychotherapist, in the course of diagnosis or treatment, has determined that the patient is in need of hospitalization. (5) Required Report. As to information that the physician or psychotherapist or the patient is required to report to a public employee, or as to information required to be recorded in a public office, if such report or record is open to public inspection, or as to information or matters contained in or reasonably raised by a report submitted under AS 08.64.336, other than information that would establish the identity of a patient, unless the court finds that it is necessary to admit the identifying information in order to serve the interests of justice. of Judge. As (6) Examination to by Order communications made in the course of an examination ordered by the court of the physical, mental or emotional condition of the patient, with respect to the particular purpose for which the examination is ordered unless the judge orders otherwise. This exception does not apply where the examination is by order of the court upon the request of the lawyer for the defendant in a criminal proceeding in order to provide the lawyer with information needed so that the lawyer may advise the defendant whether to enter a plea based on insanity or to present a defense based on the defendant’s mental or emotional condition. Note: SCO 1108 incorporated changes in Evidence Rule 504(a)(3) made by the legislature in ch. 129 § 12 SLA 1992. This legislation added the language in subparagraph (a)(3), “or (C) a person licensed as a marital or family therapist under the laws of a state or nation or reasonably believed by the patient so to be, while similarly engaged.” SCO 1108 was entered for the sole reason that the legislature has mandated the above amendment. If ch. 129 § 12 SLA 1992 is invalidated by a court of competent jurisdiction, SCO 1108 shall be considered automatically rescinded. Note to SCO 1337: Evidence Rule 504(a)(3) was amended by § 5 ch. 75 SLA 1998 to expand the definition of “psychotherapist” to include licensed professional counselors. Section 1 of this order is adopted for the sole reason that the legislature has mandated the amendment.