House Bill 397 aims to enhance privacy protections for individuals using mental health digital services by establishing confidentiality standards and outlining penalties for noncompliance. The bill specifies that mental health digital services, which include mobile applications and websites that handle information related to an individual's mental health or substance use disorder, must adhere to the disclosure and confidentiality provisions outlined in Title 50, chapter 16, part 5. It also allows individuals whose information is improperly disclosed to seek remedies as provided in existing law.

Additionally, the bill defines "mental health digital service" and clarifies the types of information these services may collect and use. Notably, it includes an insertion that emphasizes the role of these services in facilitating mental health care, including diagnosis and treatment. The bill is intended to be codified as part of the existing legal framework in Title 50, chapter 16, part 5, ensuring that the new provisions are integrated into the current laws governing health care information confidentiality.