The bill amends the Medical Records Access Act by updating definitions and clarifying the rights of patients and their authorized representatives regarding access to medical records. Key changes include the definition of "authorized representative," which now explicitly includes the patient's personal representative and heirs at law in the case of a deceased patient. The bill also modifies the term "Detroit consumer price index" to "Consumer Price Index" and specifies that a "guardian" is someone appointed to act on behalf of an individual regarding health care. Additionally, the language has been updated to ensure consistency in referring to patients and their representatives.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the procedures that health care providers and facilities must follow when a request for medical records is made. It mandates that requests be submitted in writing and establishes timelines for compliance, including a maximum of 30 days to respond to requests. The bill also emphasizes the importance of verifying the identity of individuals making requests and prohibits health care providers from restricting access to a minor's medical records by their parents or guardians. Lastly, it introduces penalties for violations of the act, aligning them with existing sanctions in the public health code.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 333.26263, 333.26265
As Passed by the House: 333.26263, 333.26265