Bill
Bill > HB1496
WA HB1496
Strengthening patients' rights regarding their health care information.
summary
Introduced
01/22/2025
01/22/2025
In Committee
01/22/2025
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)
Liz Berry (D)*,
Peter Abbarno (R),
Dan Bronoske (D),
Beth Doglio (D),
Mary Fosse (D),
Roger Goodman (D),
Dan Griffey (R),
Natasha Hill (D),
Debra Lekanoff (D),
Timm Ormsby (D),
Lisa Parshley (D),
Strom Peterson (D),
Gerry Pollet (D),
Julia Reed (D),
Osman Salahuddin (D),
Shaun Scott (D),
Tarra Simmons (D),
Last Action
First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. (on 01/22/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
---|---|
State Bill Page | https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1496&Year=2025&Initiative=false |
BillText | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1496.pdf |
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