The bill, H.B. No. 2872, aims to enhance the protection of vaccination and immunization information by prohibiting its unauthorized release or disclosure. It introduces a new section, 161.0093, to the Health and Safety Code, which specifies that employees or agents of the department or health authorities cannot disclose an individual's vaccination information without written or electronic consent from the individual or their legally authorized representative. The bill outlines exceptions for disclosures to healthcare providers in compliance with privacy laws and establishes that individuals who obtain such information cannot share it with third parties for promotional purposes. Violations of these provisions can result in civil penalties ranging from $2,000 to $50,000.

Additionally, the bill amends several existing sections of the Health and Safety Code to reinforce the confidentiality of immunization records and clarify the conditions under which such information may be shared. Notably, it removes previous provisions that allowed for broader disclosures of registry information and emphasizes the necessity of consent for any release of immunization data. The bill also repeals a section that previously permitted certain disclosures, thereby tightening the regulations surrounding the handling of vaccination information. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to disclosures made after that date.

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 161.0075, Health and Safety Code 161.008 (Health and Safety Code 161)