HI SB2869

Amends Hawaii's developmental disabilities and mental health privacy statutes (sections 333E-6 and 334-5) to align with HIPAA privacy standards for all entities holding such records, including non-HIPAA-covered entities.

Replaces restrictive disclosure prohibitions with allowances under 45 Code of Federal Regulations part 164, subpart E, enabling health care providers to share information for treatment, payment, and health care operations purposes.

Applies new privacy rules to health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses that maintain developmental disability or mental health records.

Preserves more restrictive protections for alcohol and drug abuse patient records under 42 Code of Federal Regulations part 2 and maintains protections under the federal Developmental Disabilities Act of 1984 and Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986.

Takes effect upon approval.