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SB 1235

Relating to a patient's access to health records and access to and exchange of certain health benefit plan information; authorizing a civil penalty; authorizing fees.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Kelly Hancock

SB 1235 requires Texas healthcare providers and insurers to provide patients faster access to medical records and health plan information while allowing fees and imposing civil penalties for non-compliance.

Referred to Health & Human Services
#blood&medicaltests(s0470) #business&commerce--general(i0050) #civilremedies&liabilities(i0065) #electronicinformationsystems(i0311) #healthcareproviders(i0387) #health--general(i0385) #health--otherdiseases&medicalconditions(i0383) #health--privacy/useofinformation(i0389) #insurance #commissionerof(v0396) #insurance--life #health&accident(i0440) #medicalrecords(s0104)
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Bill Summary · SB 1235

Legislative bill overview

SB 1235 expands patient access to personal health records and health benefit plan information in Texas, while establishing mechanisms for information exchange between healthcare providers and insurers. The bill authorizes civil penalties for non-compliance and permits entities to charge fees for providing these records and services.

Why is this important

Patient access to medical records is fundamental to informed healthcare decision-making, care coordination, and detecting billing errors. The bill's standardization of access procedures and information exchange could reduce administrative delays, though fee authorization raises questions about whether financial barriers might limit access for low-income patients.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee structure: Authorizing fees for record access could create barriers for uninsured or underinsured patients who need their own medical information, contradicting the stated goal of improved access
  • Enforcement mechanism: Civil penalty authority without specified penalty amounts or enforcement procedures may result in inconsistent consequences across different entities
  • Data security standards: The bill's scope regarding health information exchange doesn't explicitly address cybersecurity requirements, potentially exposing sensitive patient data during transfer between healthcare systems

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

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