The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to improve the immunization registry by changing the procedures for including and excluding individuals' immunization data. Notably, it removes the requirement for written or electronic consent prior to including an individual's information in the registry. Instead, individuals or their legally authorized representatives can request exclusion of their information at various points, such as at birth or during immunization administration. The bill mandates that once a request for exclusion is received, the individual's information must not be included in the registry unless a subsequent request for inclusion is made. Additionally, it introduces provisions to protect the confidentiality of immunization data, including prohibiting the use of registry information to deny services during disasters and forbidding the sale of such information.

Furthermore, the bill enhances privacy and consent requirements related to the release and use of immunization registry information. It stipulates that the department's institutional review board cannot approve the release of identifiable information for research without informed consent. The executive commissioner is tasked with adopting rules to ensure compliance with state and federal privacy laws, including HIPAA. The bill also modifies the process for individuals to request exclusion from the registry, repealing previous consent verification requirements and establishing new rules for data collection and retention. These changes will take effect for immunization information received by the Department of State Health Services from January 1, 2027, and a public awareness campaign will be launched to inform stakeholders about the new regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 161.007, Health and Safety Code 161.00705, Health and Safety Code 161.00706, Health and Safety Code 161.0071, Health and Safety Code 161.0073, Health and Safety Code 161.00735, Health and Safety Code 161.008, Health and Safety Code 161.009, Health and Safety Code 161.0095, Health and Safety Code 161.0107 (Health and Safety Code 161)