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SB 769

Corrections: state facilities; medical information regarding a prisoner provided to individuals as authorized by a prisoner; allow. Amends 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.201 - 791.285) by adding sec. 64a.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rosemary Bayer and 5 co-sponsors

Michigan bill authorizing state prisoners to authorize release of their medical information to designated individuals, expanding medical privacy rights while incarcerated.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)
#corrections:prisoners #corrections:privatefacilities #corrections:statefacilities #stateagencies(existing):corrections
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Bill Summary · SB 769

Legislative bill overview

SB 769 would authorize Michigan correctional facilities to release medical information about prisoners to individuals designated by the prisoner themselves. Currently, state law restricts such disclosures. The bill would create a mechanism allowing incarcerated individuals to authorize third parties to access their medical records while in state custody.

Why is this important

Medical privacy rights for incarcerated people affect their ability to communicate health conditions to family members, legal representatives, and healthcare coordinators outside prison. This can impact continuity of care, family support systems, and legal representation. The bill addresses a practical gap where prisoners may have legitimate reasons to share their medical status with authorized contacts.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy balance: Correctional facilities may argue that broad medical disclosure authorization could create security risks, staff liability concerns, or complications in managing prison health information systems
  • Scope and safeguards: Unclear whether the bill establishes sufficient procedural protections—what constitutes proper "authorization," how facilities verify requests, and whether there are limitations on which medical information can be shared
  • Implementation costs: Prison systems would need to establish new administrative processes and staff training to handle authorization requests and disclosures, with potential resource implications

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

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