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SB 457

AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION TO PROVIDE A PERSON WHO IS INCARCERATED WITH A FORM AUTHORIZING ANOTHER PERSON ACCESS TO THE MEDICAL RECORDS OF THE PERSON WHO IS INCARCERATED.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Saud Anwar

Connecticut must provide incarcerated people forms to authorize third-party access to their medical records, enabling family and legal representatives to review healthcare information.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary
#correctiondepartment #medicalrecords #prisoners
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Bill Summary · SB 457

Legislative bill overview

SB 457 requires Connecticut's Department of Correction to provide incarcerated individuals with a form that authorizes another person to access their medical records. This creates a mechanism for prisoners to grant third-party access to their healthcare information while detained.

Why is this important

Incarcerated individuals often have limited ability to manage their own affairs from inside facilities. This bill addresses a practical gap by enabling prisoners to authorize family members, legal representatives, or advocates to review their medical information, which could help with legal cases, medical decision-making, health monitoring, and continuity of care upon release.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and security concerns: Creating authorization forms increases the number of people with access to sensitive medical records, potentially creating privacy risks or opportunities for misuse if records are lost or improperly handled
  • Implementation costs and burden: The Department of Correction must develop, distribute, and manage these authorization forms, requiring administrative resources and staff training
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify what constitutes "another person," whether there are limits on access duration, what medical information can be shared, or how records are protected during transfer, leaving enforcement details unclear

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

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