The bill amends Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by adding a new section, 6152.2, which focuses on the protection of reproductive health services records. It establishes that covered entities, such as healthcare providers, cannot disclose communications or information related to reproductive health care services without explicit written consent from the patient or their authorized representative. The bill outlines specific exceptions where consent is not required, including disclosures authorized by court rules, communications with legal representatives for defense purposes, and situations involving suspected child abuse or other forms of abuse.
Additionally, the bill clarifies that it does not impede lawful sharing of medical records as permitted by existing federal or state laws, nor does it replace current regulations governing the confidentiality of communications in various contexts, such as mental health or domestic violence counseling. Definitions for key terms such as "agency," "covered entity," and "reproductive health care services" are also provided to ensure clarity in the application of the law. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.