The bill under consideration, identified as Substitute Senate Bill No. 958 with File No. 120, addresses the timely transfer of medical records between health care institutions and the fees charged for copies of medical records. The bill mandates that health care institutions, as defined in section 19a-490 of the general statutes, must transfer a patient's medical records to another institution immediately if the request is urgent, or within two business days if the request is not urgent, upon receiving a patient-approved medical records request.

Additionally, the bill revises the fee structure for providing copies of a patient's health record. It substitutes the existing language in subsection (d) of section 20-7c of the general statutes to set a fee limit of the lesser of 65 cents per page or any patient rate amount or reasonable cost-based fee established under federal or state law, state regulation, or related administrative guidance, regardless of whether such rates or fees typically apply to requests by a patient's attorney or authorized representative. The bill also clarifies that no provider or other party in possession or control of a patient's medical records can charge more than this established fee limit. The bill retains the provision that no charge shall be made for furnishing health records necessary for supporting a claim or appeal under the Social Security Act or for veterans' benefits. The act is effective upon passage and amends the specified sections accordingly.