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HB 5337

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COOPERATIVE SERVICE AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS--CHARTER SCHOOL REFORM

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dick Fascia and 4 co-sponsors

Strengthens patients' right to access their medical records - timely, affordable copies (electronic when possible), with clear formats, fees, and privacy safeguards.

02/25/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5337

Summary — HB 5337: "An Act Concerning Patient Access to Medical Records"

Bill Number: HB 5337
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING PATIENT ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS
Introduced: March 14, 2025
Current Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health; committee substitute reported favorably and sent to Calendars (see timeline below)
Subject: Medical records; patient access
Companion Bill: SB 16

Note: the full bill text is not included here. The summary below states the bill’s purpose and likely scope based on the title and usual legislative practice; readers should consult the enacted bill text or the committee substitute for precise statutory language, deadlines, fees, and enforcement mechanisms.

Purpose and intent

The bill is intended to strengthen or clarify patients’ legal rights to access their medical records. Typical objectives of such legislation are to ensure timely, affordable, and usable access to health information (including electronic copies), to align state rules with federal HIPAA patient access requirements, and to reduce administrative obstacles that impede patient control of their health data.

Key provisions (anticipated / commonly included elements)

Because the bill text is not provided, these reflect provisions commonly addressed in “patient access to medical records” bills. Confirm specifics in the actual bill:
- Right of patients (or authorized representatives) to inspect and obtain copies of medical records, including imaging and lab results.
- Timeframe for furnishing records (commonly a statutory deadline such as 7–30 calendar days from request).
- Requirement to provide records in the patient’s requested format when practicable (electronic files/secure download, patient portal, paper copies).
- Limits or caps on fees for copies (per-page fees or a reasonable, cost-based charge; some bills provide for free electronic copies).
- Procedures for requesting amendments/corrections to records and for documenting disputes.
- Rules for third‑party access (e.g., patient-authorized health apps); safeguards for privacy and consent.
- Clarifications about access to psychotherapy notes, substance-use treatment records, or other sensitive records that may be partially restricted under federal law.
- Enforcement and remedies (administrative oversight, civil penalties, private right of action) and alignment with HIPAA.

Who is affected

  • Patients and their authorized representatives (broader control over health information).
  • Health care providers and facilities (responsibility to respond to requests, potential operational and compliance costs).
  • Health information management staff, medical records vendors, and health IT/EHR vendors (changes to processes and technical interfaces).
  • Insurers and labs to the extent records or results are included.
  • State agencies that oversee public health or enforcement.

Potential impacts

  • Increased patient empowerment, care coordination, and portability of health information.
  • Administrative and compliance costs for providers, especially smaller practices, to meet response timelines and technical requirements.
  • Possible privacy risks if electronic access or third-party sharing is expanded without robust safeguards.
  • Potential reduction of disputes about medical information due to clearer amendment processes.

Legislative timeline / procedural history (selected)

  • 2025-01-16: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health
  • 2025-03-14: Filed (introduced)
  • 2025-04-07: Read first time; referred to Elections (procedural note)
  • 2025-04-24: Public hearing; testimony recorded; left pending
  • 2025-04-28: Committee considered substitute; reported favorably as substituted
  • 2025-05-06: Committee report filed and distributed
  • 2025-05-07: Committee report sent to Calendars

Recommended next steps for stakeholders

  • Review the committee substitute or final bill text and any fiscal note to confirm exact requirements (deadlines, fee structure, enforcement).
  • Providers should assess operational and IT readiness for potential shorter response times or electronic delivery mandates.
  • Patient advocates should review whether the bill meaningfully improves access (cost, format, timeline) and protects sensitive records.
  • Monitor companion SB 16 for alignment and any differences between chamber versions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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