Subdivision 1.Obligation to cooperate.

An applicant or licensee who is the subject of an investigation, or who is questioned by or on behalf of the board in connection with an investigation, must cooperate fully with the investigation. Cooperation includes, but is not limited to:

(1) responding fully and promptly to any question relating to the investigation;

(2) as reasonably requested by the board, providing copies of client and other records in the applicant’s or licensee’s possession relating to the investigation;

(3) executing release of records as reasonably requested by the board; and

(4) appearing at conferences, hearings, or meetings scheduled by the board, as required in sections 148E.255 to 148E.270 and chapter 214.

Subd. 2.Investigation.

A social worker must not knowingly withhold relevant information, give false or misleading information, or do anything to obstruct an investigation of the social worker or another social worker by the board or by another state or federal regulatory or law enforcement authority.

Subd. 3.Payment for copies.

The board must pay for copies requested by the board.

Subd. 4.Access to client records.

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an applicant or licensee must allow the board access to any records of a client provided services by the applicant or licensee under investigation. If the client has not signed a consent permitting access to the client’s records, the applicant or licensee must delete any data in the records that identifies the client before providing the records to the board.

Subd. 5.Classification of data.

Any records obtained according to this subdivision must be treated as investigative data according to section 13.41 and be classified as confidential data.