The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1508 aims to amend the regulations surrounding the provision of medical records by licensed institutions. The bill introduces new provisions that allow patients, their personal representatives, or attorneys to request copies of health records, including laboratory reports and retained tissue samples. Notably, the bill replaces the term "authorized representative" with "personal representative" and specifies that institutions may charge fees for copies and medical imaging, with a detailed fee structure outlined for requests made by individuals other than the patient or their personal representative. The bill also establishes that institutions are not liable for releasing or not retaining slides or blocks and sets a maximum fee for copies based on the consumer price index, which will be adjusted annually.

Additionally, the bill repeals existing language that limited the maximum charge for providing access to health records to sixty-five cents per page, allowing for a more flexible fee structure based on the type of request. The new fee schedule includes specific charges for paper and electronic copies, medical imaging, and materials related to retained slides or blocks. The Department of Public Health is tasked with adjusting these fees annually based on inflation metrics. The changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to streamline the process of obtaining medical records while ensuring that institutions can cover their costs.