Summary — HB 5216 (Introduced 2025)
Purpose
- HB 5216 requires the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) to provide prisoners standardized medical information release and emergency contact forms, to allow prisoners to designate who may receive specified medical information, and to require MDOC to notify a designated emergency contact in the event of a prisoner’s critical medical emergency. The bill also directs MDOC to develop explanatory materials (a brochure) and the required forms.
Key provisions
- Intake and retroactive distribution:
- MDOC must give each prisoner, when received into a correctional facility, a medical information release form, an emergency contact form, and a brochure explaining the process.
- MDOC must also provide the two forms to prisoners already in custody on the bill’s effective date.
Form requirements and prisoner control:
- Both forms must be signed by the prisoner.
- On the medical information release form a prisoner designates one or more “authorized recipients” and selects the “qualified medical information” those recipients may receive.
- On the emergency contact form a prisoner lists one or more emergency contacts and is responsible for keeping contact information accurate; prisoners may request amendments to either form.
Emergency notice and hospital visitation:
- If a prisoner experiences a “critical medical emergency” (defined as an event requiring inpatient hospital care), MDOC must immediately notify one individual designated as an emergency contact.
- MDOC may disclose the prisoner’s treatment location only if it determines disclosure is necessary.
- If, in consultation with the treating physician, the emergency necessitates a hospital visit, MDOC may arrange approved visitors (department‑approved immediate family and clergy) consistent with MDOC policy, and may deny a visit if it raises safety concerns.
Release of medical information:
- MDOC must provide a prisoner’s selected “qualified medical information” to an authorized recipient upon the recipient’s request.
Deadlines for MDOC materials:
- MDOC must create and make available the brochure within 60 days of the bill’s effective date.
- MDOC must develop the two standardized forms within 90 days of the bill’s effective date and make the brochure available on its website and at each prisoner’s annual health exam.
Who is affected
- Prisoners in state correctional facilities, their designated authorized recipients and emergency contacts (family, clergy, others), MDOC staff and health providers, and approved visitors. The bill alters privacy/notification practices and creates administrative responsibilities for MDOC.
Procedural status and related legislation
- Filed March 14, 2025; committee activity and substitute reported favorably in April–May 2025; placed on General State Calendar May 13, 2025. Document also reproduced/introduced November 5, 2025 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Companion senate bill: SB 1351.
Considerations / potential impacts
- Enhances prisoner control over release of medical information and formalizes emergency notification and limited hospital visitation.
- Imposes administrative tasks on MDOC (form/brochure creation, record maintenance, responding to authorized recipient requests).
- Balances privacy protections (prisoner‑selected “qualified” data; baseline prohibition on disclosing treatment location) with exceptions for necessary operational/medical decisions.
