Bill > H5500

This bill establishes an 18-month pilot program (from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026) that allows the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH) to request healthcare records without requiring patient consent during investigations of alleged abuse, neglect, mistreatment, exploitation, death, or rights violations in mental health facilities or programs. Under this program, when BHDDH makes a written demand for records, organizations must immediately produce them, with the demand including notice of an investigation and the patient's name if known. If an organization fails to comply, BHDDH can file a petition in superior court to obtain the records. The bill designates BHDDH as a health oversight, social-service, and protective services agency for these purposes. By March 31, 2027, BHDDH must submit a report to state leadership detailing the number of record demands, resulting petitions, and recommendations for the program's future. The pilot program is set to automatically expire on March 31, 2027, unless the General Assembly chooses to extend it, providing a structured approach to potentially improving investigative processes in behavioral healthcare settings.

Health and Social Services, Justice

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