For how long must records for a child be kept, at a minimum, after they reach the age of majority?

The requirement for how long records for a child must be kept after they reach the age of majority is established to ensure that important information remains accessible for continued care, legal purposes, or potential complications that may arise after they become adults. In Massachusetts, mental health records must be kept for a minimum of seven years after the last treatment date or until the individual reaches the age of 21, whichever is longer. Therefore, when considering the age at which a child reaches majority, which is 18 years old in Massachusetts, the minimum retention period ties directly to ensuring adequate access to these records into adulthood.

The option specifying a five-year period accurately reflects the elongated timeframe necessary for certain records, especially in contexts where individuals may not seek services or legal consultation until they are much older. This approach recognizes that developmental, psychological, and sometimes legal matters may require reference to earlier records, thereby supporting ethical practices in psychology regarding record retention. Thus, maintaining records for at least five years post-majority contributes to comprehensive care and accountability within the practice.