Bill > S601

This bill, by adding new sections to Chapter 111 of the General Laws, aims to protect the privacy of information submitted by hospital medical staff. It defines "hospital" as any facility licensed under section 51 of the chapter and "medical staff" as physicians and other healthcare professionals authorized to treat patients in a hospital. The core provision states that any personal or financial information provided by current or prospective medical staff members, particularly in relation to hospital conflict of interest policies, cannot be used for other purposes or shared with others, though it does not exempt them from other existing privacy laws. Furthermore, individuals harmed by a violation of these privacy protections are granted the right to sue in superior court for damages and any other necessary legal remedies. This Act is set to become effective on October 1, 2015.