Bill > A06245

This bill expands confidentiality protections for certain medical and quality assurance review proceedings by modifying language in the education law and public health law. Specifically, the bill changes existing provisions related to investigations of medical incidents, malpractice prevention programs, and quality assurance reviews. The key modification removes the previous prohibition on discovering testimony from individuals who were parties to an action or proceeding that was reviewed during a medical review meeting. Under the new language, statements made by such individuals during these meetings can now potentially be discovered in legal proceedings, representing a nuanced change in the confidentiality rules. The bill aims to provide a more flexible approach to testimony and evidence gathering in medical review contexts, while still maintaining broad protections for the general proceedings and records of these review committees. The changes apply to various medical settings, including hospitals, medical societies, health maintenance organizations, and other healthcare review bodies. The bill will take effect 180 days after becoming law, giving healthcare organizations and legal professionals time to understand and adapt to the new provisions.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6245