General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5168 seeks to improve the secure transmission of minor patient safety plans from healthcare providers to schools. Effective upon passage, the bill introduces definitions for terms such as "designated employee," "health care provider," and "safety plan." Starting April 1, 2027, healthcare providers will be required to review safety plans with minor patients and obtain consent from either the patient or their legally authorized representative before securely transmitting these plans to schools via a compliant messaging system. The legislation clarifies that it does not impose a standard of care on healthcare providers nor requires them to disclose information that a minor patient may legally withhold.

Additionally, the bill mandates local or regional boards of education to establish secure messaging accounts by January 1, 2027, and grant access to designated employees for managing minor patient safety plans. By April 1, 2027, these boards must submit their secure messaging system addresses to the Commissioner of Education. The bill also requires annual professional development for new designated employees on the secure messaging system starting July 1, 2027. Notably, it repeals the previous requirement for a broad local governance structure while emphasizing the establishment of secure messaging systems to facilitate communication between healthcare providers and schools. The act will take effect upon passage, with certain provisions set to be implemented at later dates.