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Bill

Bill

HB 162

Enact the My Child-My Chart Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Cindy Abrams and 41 co-sponsors

Ohio bill grants parents electronic access to minor children's medical records through health system patient portals, potentially restricting teen medical privacy.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 162

Legislative bill overview

HB 162, the "My Child-My Chart Act," is a recently introduced Ohio bill that appears designed to give parents greater access to their children's medical records and health information through electronic health record (EHR) systems. The bill's title suggests it aims to ensure parents can view and manage their minor children's health data through patient portal systems commonly called "MyChart" or similar platforms.

Why is this important

This bill addresses a real tension in healthcare: balancing parental rights to manage their children's care with adolescent privacy protections. Currently, many health systems restrict parental access to teen records based on state privacy laws, which can complicate medical decision-making but also protects older minors' confidentiality around sensitive issues like reproductive health or mental health treatment. The outcome could significantly affect how healthcare providers manage information access for patients aged 13-17.

Potential points of contention

  • Adolescent privacy vs. parental rights: Restrictions on teen medical privacy exist to encourage young people to seek care for sensitive issues; broader parental access could deter teens from seeking treatment for mental health, substance use, or sexual health concerns
  • Healthcare provider burden: Requiring systems to grant parental portal access may impose technical and compliance costs on medical facilities and EHR vendors
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's exact age parameters and which medical information parents can access remain unclear from available documentation; this could create inconsistent implementation across providers

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

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