Evidence

1. Any privilege of communication between husband and wife or between any professional person and that person's patient or client, except between attorney and client or involving members of the clergy acting as spiritual advisers, does not constitute grounds for the exclusion of evidence during an assessment of reported suspected child abuse or neglect, or during an appeal under this chapter or under North Dakota Century Code chapter 28-32. 2. Any statement, relied upon by the department made by a child who is a suspected victim of a report of suspected child abuse or neglect or who is a witness to the suspected abuse or neglect of another child may be introduced into evidence. 3. Copies of any statements or any records sought to be entered into evidence shall be redacted to protect any statutory confidentiality requirements.