House Bill 5411 (sHB5411 File No. 514) proposes amendments to the general statutes regarding the procedures and fees for furnishing health records. The bill replaces gender-specific terms with gender-neutral ones and modifies the timeframe for providing medical reports to "not later than" thirty days after completion. It introduces penalties for physicians, surgeons, or third-party vendors who fail to provide medical reports within the specified timeframe, including written notification, a hearing, or a fine not exceeding $500. The bill also mandates that health records be provided in the patient's preferred format and prohibits charging for copying when returning original records. A new tiered pricing structure for paper copies and a maximum fee of $250 for electronic copies are established, with the elimination of research and handling fees unless redactions are requested. Expedited service fees and penalties for delays in furnishing records are also outlined, and the Commissioner of Public Health is required to publish and annually adjust the fees based on the consumer price index.

Additionally, the bill addresses the handling of original retained tissue slides and blocks, allowing them to be sent directly to a designated health care provider upon request. Institutions and laboratories are absolved from liability for releasing or not retaining these materials. The bill also stipulates that no charge be made for furnishing health records necessary for certain Social Security or veterans' benefits claims. It introduces a requirement for institutions that cease operations to provide a certified document to the Department of Public Health detailing the storage and access procedures for patient health records, with a civil penalty for noncompliance. The bill requires compliance with HIPAA before health records are furnished and includes technical and conforming changes for clarity and consistency. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2024, and has no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 31-294f, 20-7c
JUD Joint Favorable: 31-294f, 20-7c
File No. 514: 31-294f, 20-7c