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Bill

SB 138

relative to record requests by health care providers.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Birdsell and 9 co-sponsors

SB 138 streamlines health care provider procedures for requesting and obtaining patient medical records, effective September 13, 2025.

Signed by the Governor on 07/15/2025; Chapter 0233; Effective 09/13/2025
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Bill Summary · SB 138

Legislative bill overview

SB 138 modifies New Hampshire law regarding how health care providers can request and obtain patient medical records. The bill streamlines or establishes procedures for record requests, potentially affecting the speed and accessibility of medical information transfers between providers. It became effective September 13, 2025.

Why is this important

Patient record access directly impacts the quality of care patients receive, as providers need current medical histories to make informed treatment decisions. This bill affects the operational burden on healthcare facilities and the timeliness of care coordination, which can have real consequences for patient safety and treatment outcomes. It also touches on privacy protections and data management in the healthcare system.

Potential points of contention

  • Burden on healthcare facilities: Streamlined requests may increase administrative workload for medical records departments, potentially affecting small providers differently than large health systems
  • Patient privacy safeguards: Changes to request procedures could either strengthen or weaken protections depending on implementation details, balancing access against unauthorized disclosure risks
  • Compliance costs: Healthcare providers may face costs to update systems and processes to comply with new procedures, raising questions about who bears these expenses

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

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