The bill seeks to enhance patients' rights regarding their health care information by improving access and establishing enforcement protections for its appropriate use. It introduces a new section to chapter 70.02 RCW, allowing health care providers and facilities to charge a reasonable fee for providing health care information, capped at $50 for certain individuals, including patients and their representatives. The bill mandates the creation of rules to determine reasonable fees based on actual costs rather than a per-page calculation, reflecting the shift towards electronic health records. Additionally, it amends existing sections of RCW 70.02 to update definitions and clarify the responsibilities of health care providers, particularly regarding patient authorization for disclosing health care information.

Moreover, the bill outlines specific provisions for the disclosure and access to health care information, including a requirement for providers to grant access within 15 working days of a request and stipulating that authorization for disclosure must be signed by the patient or their representative. It also emphasizes that providers may charge a reasonable fee for assistance in obtaining health care information but are not obligated to provide it until the fee is paid. The bill includes provisions for denying access to information under certain circumstances, such as potential harm to the patient or legal prohibitions, and it addresses confidentiality concerning sexually transmitted diseases and mental health services. Overall, the bill aims to balance public health safety with the protection of individual privacy rights.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 70.02.010, 71.24.025, 70.02.080, 70.02.090, 70.02.170, 70.02.220