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 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 ensuring that incarcerated individuals can grant access to their medical information, which may be crucial for their care and support while they are in custody. By facilitating this process, the legislation seeks to enhance the rights of incarcerated persons regarding their health information and promote better communication between them and their designated representatives.