Substitute House Bill No. 7157, also known as Public Act No. 25-97, introduces significant revisions to public health statutes, effective July 1, 2025, and October 1, 2025. Key amendments include the management of medical examiner records by the Commission on Medicolegal Investigations, ensuring that individuals with a legitimate interest, particularly parents or siblings of minors, can access these records without fees. The bill also clarifies the definition of a "person in custody of the state" and updates regulations for emergency medical services personnel regarding the administration of epinephrine. Additionally, it mandates continuing education for physical therapists 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 enhance patient confidentiality.

Further provisions of the bill address the confidentiality and disclosure of mental health communications, allowing disclosures for treatment and legal proceedings while ensuring patient rights are protected. It establishes designated child guidance clinics to enhance psychiatric services for children and families, and mandates the Department of Children and Families to provide grants to these clinics. The bill also includes measures to improve health care oversight, such as requiring health care employers to report workplace violence incidents and updating the process for health care cost growth benchmarks. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the protection of patient information, improve access to mental health services, and ensure accountability within health care practices.

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
Public Act No. 25-97: 52-146d, 52-146e, 52-146f, 52-146g, 52-146h, 52-146i, 52-146j, 7-62b, 52-146c