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Bill > HB1496


WA HB1496

Strengthening patients' rights regarding their health care information.


summary

Introduced
01/22/2025
In Committee
01/22/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT Relating to strengthening patients' rights regarding their 2 health care information by promoting access to information and 3 providing enforcement protections for the appropriate use of the 4 information; amending RCW 70.02.010, 70.02.030, 70.02.080, 70.02.090, 5 70.02.170, and 70.02.220; reenacting and amending RCW 70.02.260; and 6 adding a new section to chapter 70.02 RCW. 7

AI Summary

This bill strengthens patients' rights regarding health care information by establishing new provisions for accessing and obtaining medical records. Under the bill, health care providers may charge a fee for providing health care information, but this fee is capped at $50 for certain recipients, including patients, their representatives, attorneys, other health care providers, advocates, and guardians. The state department is required to develop rules for establishing reasonable fees based on actual searching and production costs, rather than per-page calculations, and must consider electronic health record capabilities. The bill also modifies existing definitions related to health care information, updates language around patient authorization for information disclosure, and clarifies the process for patients to obtain their medical records. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of who can be considered a "prevailing patient" in legal actions related to health care information disclosure, ensuring broader protection for patients and their representatives. The changes aim to make health care information more accessible while maintaining appropriate privacy protections and setting clear guidelines for fee structures and information sharing.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (17)

Last Action

First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. (on 01/22/2025)

bill text


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