Substitute Senate Bill No. 1437 introduces important amendments to the management of health records requests, particularly focusing on the responsibilities of healthcare providers and the rights of patients. The bill amends Section 31-294f to require injured employees to undergo examinations by a physician or surgeon as requested by employers or administrative law judges, while allowing the employee to have their own physician present at their own expense. It also mandates that medical reports be provided to both the employer and employee within thirty days of completion, imposing penalties on physicians or third-party vendors who fail to comply with this timeline.

Additionally, the bill revises Section 19a-25g, requiring healthcare institutions to provide electronic copies of medical records to patients or their representatives within six days for urgent requests and seven business days for non-urgent requests, without needing specific written consent. It also stipulates that records must be provided to a patient's attorney within twenty business days. The bill sets new fee limits for accessing medical records, establishing that charges must be the greater of $250 plus reasonable costs for postage and materials, or the fees allowed under federal law, replacing the previous charge of up to 65 cents per page. Certain facilities, such as those operated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, are exempt from these requirements, and the bill clarifies circumstances under which records do not need to be transferred in compliance with HIPAA regulations. The changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 31-294f
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 31-294f
File No. 738: 31-294f