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Bill

A 2613

Provides additional protections for sensitive health information and requires patients to have the right to restrict the disclosures of such patient's health information

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Didi Barrett and 35 co-sponsors

Gives patients a new right to restrict disclosures of their sensitive health information and strengthens privacy protections for health data.

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Bill Summary · A 2613

Summary: Assembly Bill A-2613

Overview

  • Bill number/title: A-2613 — Provides additional protections for sensitive health information and requires patients to have the right to restrict the disclosures of such patient's health information.
  • Status: Referred to the Health Committee.
  • Introduced: January 21, 2025.
  • Primary sponsor: Jen Lunsford.
  • Cosponsors: A broad list including John T. McDonald III, Jo Anne Simon, Andrew Hevesi, Linda Rosenthal, Dana Levenberg, Charles Lavine, Noah Burroughs, Emerita Torres, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Deborah Glick, Emily Gallagher, Tony Simone, Phil Steck, Rebecca Kassay, Robert C. Carroll, Micah Lasher, Karines Reyes, Yudelka Tapia. (Cosponsorship indicates joint legislative support.)
  • Related bills: A-8884 (prior session) and S-1633 (companion bills in the Senate).

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to enhance protections around sensitive health information and to empower patients with a new right to restrict disclosures of their own health data. The exact definitions, scope, and mechanics are not provided in the information available, but the intent is to strengthen privacy safeguards beyond existing norms and ensure patients can limit how their health information is shared.

Key provisions (as described)

  • Protection enhancement: Establishes additional protections for “sensitive health information.” The precise categories of information and the standards for heightened protection are not delineated in the provided summary.
  • Patient right to restrict disclosures: Requires or enables patients to restrict the disclosure of their own health information. The bill would specify how patients can exercise this right and under what circumstances disclosures might be limited or prohibited.

Note: Specific operational details (definitions of “sensitive health information,” permissible disclosures, exceptions, consent mechanisms, enforcement, penalties, and effective date) are not included in the provided information. A full text or committee memo would supply those details.

Who would be affected

  • Patients: Likely gain a new or enhanced right to control how their health information is disclosed.
  • Health care providers and entities handling health information: Potentially subject to new obligations to implement restrictions, modify privacy practices, disclosures, and record-keeping.
  • Health insurers and other entities involved in health data disclosures: May be affected to the extent they handle or transmit restricted data.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill was introduced on January 21, 2025 and immediately referred to the Health Committee, indicating it will undergo committee review and possible amendments before any floor consideration.
  • The presence of a companion in the Senate (S-1633) suggests parallel consideration across chambers, which can influence negotiation and passage timing.
  • Related bill A-8884 from a prior session may indicate a continued policy interest and potential alignment or differences with A-2613.

Potential impact (high-level)

  • If enacted, the bill would strengthen patient privacy rights concerning health information and may impose new compliance requirements on healthcare providers and data-handling entities.
  • It could lead to changes in consent forms, privacy notices, information-sharing workflows, and audit/disciplinary processes for improper disclosures.
  • The overall effect would be a higher standard for protecting sensitive health data and greater patient control over disclosures.

Next steps for readers

  • Monitor Health Committee actions for amendments, fiscal notes, and a potential floor vote.
  • Review the full text for precise definitions, exemptions, and enforcement provisions.
  • Compare with related bills (A-8884, S-1633) to understand cross-chamber alignment and differences.

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

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