BILL NUMBER: S5134
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to establishing a
uniform electronic medical records system for correctional facilities
 
PURPOSE:
Establishes a uniform electronic system to store the medical records of
incarcerated individuals.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the correction law by stating that the commissioner, in
consultation with the commissioners of health and mental health, shall
develop a uniform electronic medical records system to be used by all
correctional facilities in the state. Additionally, it states the
commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for imple-
mentation.
Section 2 states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In Taconic Correctional Facility, Sing Sing Correctional Facility, and
Bedford Hills Correction Facility, medical files of incarcerated indi-
viduals are recorded on paper and stored in physical files within each
facility. This not only leaves these records vulnerable to damage by
physical events such as floods or fires but moreover, can be costly due
to the resources necessary for upkeep and storage. This method makes
things like transfers exceedingly difficult and puts incarcerated indi-
viduals at risk if records are inaccessible or lost.
This legislation will ensure that the medical records of incarcerated
individuals are stored in a centralized electronic database, to better
protect them from being damaged or misplaced. An electronic system will
ensure that medical records are easily accessible by healthcare profes-
sionals working in correctional facilities, best facilitating the care
process.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S5214/A5902 - Vetoed by Governor
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.