The proposed bill, General Assembly Proposed Bill No. 457, aims to amend chapter 325 of the general statutes by requiring the Department of Correction to provide incarcerated individuals with a form that allows them to authorize another person, such as a next of kin or a trusted individual, to access their medical records. This access is particularly significant as these records are typically protected from disclosure under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.

The bill emphasizes the importance of allowing incarcerated individuals to have their medical information shared with trusted individuals, thereby enhancing their ability to manage their health care while in custody. The proposed legal language does not include any deletions from current law but introduces the new requirement for the Department of Correction to facilitate this process for those who are incarcerated.