Substitute House Bill No. 7157 proposes significant revisions to public health statutes, with many changes set to take effect on July 1, 2025. A notable amendment modifies the access process for reports from the Chief Medical Examiner, restricting availability to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and ensuring that immediate family members of minor children can obtain records without fees. The bill also clarifies the definition of "person in custody of the state" and updates training requirements for emergency medical services personnel regarding epinephrine administration. Additionally, it mandates that physical therapists complete continuing education on mental health and ethics, prohibits health systems from requiring payment information as a condition for care, and revises the definition of "authorized representative" to include personal representatives and guardians in cases of deceased or incompetent patients.

Further amendments focus on mental health treatment confidentiality, allowing psychologists to disclose patient communications under specific circumstances, such as imminent risk of harm or legal proceedings. The bill increases the maximum civil penalty for healthcare providers from $10,000 to $25,000 and extends the deadline for reporting workplace violence incidents. It also establishes a process for issuing short-form death certificates that exclude medical certification, effective January 1, 2026. The bill repeals Section 52-146c and clarifies that hospitals licensed by the Department of Public Health do not need additional licensing from the Department of Children and Families to provide mental health services. Overall, the bill aims to enhance patient rights, improve healthcare practices, and ensure confidentiality in mental health treatment while allowing necessary disclosures for effective care.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 52-146d, 52-146e, 52-146f, 52-146g, 52-146h, 52-146i, 52-146j, 52-146c
PH Joint Favorable Substitute: 52-146d, 52-146e, 52-146f, 52-146g, 52-146h, 52-146i, 52-146j, 7-62b, 52-146c
File No. 628: 52-146d, 52-146e, 52-146f, 52-146g, 52-146h, 52-146i, 52-146j, 7-62b, 52-146c