HB 6424 Summary

• Repeals and replaces Section 17b-59e of Connecticut general statutes, effective October 1, 2021, to clarify data collection standards for health care providers connecting to the State-wide Health Information Exchange.

• Requires hospitals licensed under chapter 368v and clinical laboratories licensed under section 19a-30 to maintain electronic health record systems capable of connecting to the exchange and apply to begin the connection process within one year of the exchange's operation commencement.

• Requires all other health care providers with compatible electronic health record systems to apply for exchange connection within two years; providers without compatible systems must be capable of sending and receiving secure messages complying with Direct Project specifications by the same deadline.

• Mandates that health care providers collect and include self-reported patient demographic data including race, ethnicity, primary language, insurance status, and disability status in their electronic health records upon connecting to the exchange.

• Requires all health care providers connecting to the State-wide Health Information Exchange to adhere to data collection standards promulgated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health, as amended.