The bill, S.B. No. 1161, amends the Health and Safety Code by adding new provisions regarding the notification process for parents, guardians, or managing conservators concerning access to a child's health records. Specifically, it mandates that if a covered entity restricts access to an online patient portal or health software application for a child aged 17 or younger, they must notify the relevant parties that they can access the child's records by contacting the entity. This notification must be sent via email every six months to the most recent email address on file and must include contact information for the division of the covered entity that maintains the records.

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

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