The bill, S.B. No. 1161, amends the Health and Safety Code to establish new notification requirements for covered entities regarding access to a child's health records by parents, guardians, or managing conservators. Specifically, it introduces Subsections (d) and (e) to Section 181.102. Under these new provisions, if a covered entity restricts access to an online patient portal or health software application for a child aged 17 or younger, it must notify the relevant parent or guardian that they can access the child's records by contacting the entity. This notification must be sent via email every six months and include contact information for the division maintaining the records.

Additionally, the bill specifies that a covered entity is only required to provide this notification if it has electronically maintained health records for a child who received care within the last 48 months. Furthermore, the entity is not obligated to confirm whether the parent, guardian, or managing conservator received the notification. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 181.102 (Health and Safety Code 181)