AZ SB1169

Amends section 12-2295 to clarify that health care providers cannot charge for pertinent medical record information provided to patients or their representatives for purposes of appealing Social Security Act benefit denials, except for additional requests or previously provided records in the same calendar year.

Requires legal representatives to provide SSA Form 1696 (Appointment of Representative) before obtaining a patient's medical records free of charge for Social Security benefit appeals.

Adds section 36-422.01 requiring health care institutions that cease operations to either provide patients with their medical records or transfer records to a third-party entity before closing.

Establishes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for health care institutions that fail to comply with medical record requirements upon termination of operations.

Allows the Director to deny a subsequent license to a licensee that fails to comply with medical record transfer requirements.