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HB 1141

Courts; availability of medical records to a parent or legal guardian when a child is taken into medical custody; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Beth Camp and 3 co-sponsors

Requires courts to provide parents/guardians with medical records when their child is placed into medical custody by the state.

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Bill Summary · HB 1141

Legislative bill overview

HB 1141 would require courts to make medical records available to parents or legal guardians when a child is taken into medical custody. The bill aims to ensure parental access to medical information during situations where a child is removed from parental care for medical reasons, such as when a child is hospitalized or placed in medical protective custody.

Why is this important

Medical custody situations can involve urgent health decisions and ongoing treatment, making parental access to medical records critical for family coordination and informed decision-making. This issue directly affects parents' ability to participate in their child's healthcare and understand treatment plans, potentially impacting outcomes and family reunification efforts.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of access: Questions about which medical records must be disclosed, how quickly, and whether restrictions apply when abuse or neglect is alleged or suspected
  • Child safety vs. parental rights: Tension between protecting children in potentially dangerous situations and ensuring parents retain information rights; concerns that full disclosure could enable harm
  • Procedural clarity: Lack of detail on the mechanism for access, timing requirements, and what happens when parents dispute the medical custody decision

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

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