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HB 681

Dental and medical records; require practices to offer to patients upon expiration of prescribed retention period.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Randy Rushing

Mississippi bill requiring dental and medical practices to offer patients their records before mandatory destruction, protecting patient access to health history.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 681

Legislative bill overview

HB 681 would require dental and medical practices in Mississippi to offer patient records to patients once the legally prescribed retention period expires. Rather than automatically destroying records after the mandatory retention timeframe, practices would need to proactively give patients the option to receive their own medical and dental information before disposal.

Why is this important

Medical and dental records contain important health history that patients may want to maintain for personal records, legal purposes, or to provide to new providers. This bill addresses a gap where practices can currently discard records without patient input, potentially losing valuable historical information that patients might need years later. The requirement protects patient autonomy over their own health information.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden and cost: Healthcare practices may argue the requirement creates compliance expenses, staff time for record organization, and storage/shipping costs that could be passed to patients or absorbed by providers
  • Liability concerns: Practices might worry about extended liability if they retain records longer or face disputes over what constitutes proper notification and offer procedures
  • Retention period confusion: Ambiguity about whose retention periods apply (state law vs. federal requirements like HIPAA) and whether this creates conflicting obligations or extends de facto retention beyond legal minimums

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

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