House Bill No. 5388 aims to amend the current regulations regarding the processing fees for medical records specifically related to applications for disability retirement benefits from the state employees retirement system. The bill prohibits health care providers from charging patients for copies of their health records when these records are requested to support a disability retirement application, provided that the request includes documentation of the application. This change is intended to alleviate financial burdens on individuals seeking disability retirement benefits.

In addition to this new provision, the bill retains existing regulations that prevent providers from charging fees for health records needed for documented claims or appeals related to Social Security or veterans' benefits. The current law allows providers to charge up to 65 cents per page for health records, including any associated fees, but this will not apply in the context of disability retirement applications as specified in the bill. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2026.