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Bill

HB 377

Generally revise access by parent to child patient health care information

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nelly Nicol

Montana bill expanding parental access to child medical records died in legislative process after Senate rejected concurrence motion.

(H) Died in Process
#privacy #health #healthcareservices #minors
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Bill Summary · HB 377

Legislative bill overview

HB 377 seeks to expand parental access to their child's health care information in Montana. The bill would generally revise laws governing what medical records and information parents can access regarding their minor children's care and treatment.

Why is this important

Parental access to medical information directly affects family dynamics, medical decision-making for minors, and the balance between parental rights and adolescent privacy. Changes to these laws can influence how teens access confidential services (such as reproductive health, mental health, or substance abuse treatment) and impact public health outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Confidentiality vs. parental rights: Expanding parental access may discourage minors from seeking treatment for sensitive health issues (mental health, contraception, STI testing) if they fear disclosure to parents
  • Age-appropriate autonomy: Disagreement over what information parents should access for different age groups (young children vs. teenagers approaching adulthood)
  • Scope of access: Uncertainty about which services warrant full parental disclosure versus those protected by confidentiality laws for minor safety (abuse situations, adolescent independence in medical decision-making)

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

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