HB 6489 Summary

• Hospitals must provide the Department of Public Health with remote access to electronic medical records concerning reportable diseases, emergency illnesses, and health conditions, if technically feasible and approved by the Commissioner.

• Health care providers must report cases of reportable diseases within 12 hours and clinical laboratories must report findings within 48 hours to the Department of Public Health and local health directors.

• A one-year pilot program beginning July 1, 2021 allows hospitals to provide remote access to medical records for quality improvement audits related to birth, fetal death, and death occurrences, with evaluation by July 1, 2022 for potential full implementation.

• Hospitals must provide remote access to medical records to support the maternal mortality review program established within the Department of Public Health, if technically feasible.

• All personal information obtained from medical records remains confidential under state law, and violations of reporting or confidentiality provisions result in fines of up to $500.