Under what conditions can a patient's records be released to law enforcement?

The correct answer is based on the provisions set forth in California laws regarding patient confidentiality and the release of medical records. In California, patient records may only be shared with law enforcement under specific circumstances that include obtaining a court order, having signed authorization from the patient, or possessing a valid search warrant.

This ensures that the patient’s privacy is protected while still allowing law enforcement access to necessary information when legally justified. A court order is issued by a judge and requires that there be legal grounds for the release, while a search warrant is a document that law enforcement obtains to search for evidence of a crime. Signed patient authorization provides direct consent from the patient for their records to be shared.

This framework is designed to balance the need for law enforcement to access certain information for investigations while safeguarding patients' rights to confidentiality. Therefore, the answer reflects the legal standards that must be adhered to when considering the release of records to law enforcement officials.