MS HB147

Amends Section 41-9-69 of the Mississippi Code to require hospitals to provide patients or their representatives with a copy of hospital records, X-ray films, or other graphic data before retiring, destroying, or disposing of them.

Patient or representative may decline the copy in writing, or may request an abstract of pertinent data instead of the entire record or graphic data.

Maintains existing retention periods for hospital records: 7 years for patients discharged at death, 10 years for adult patients of sound mind, and extended periods for minors or disabled patients.

X-ray film and graphic data may still be retired 4 years after creation if radiologist findings are retained, with the existing 60-day notification requirement for patients to request longer retention.

Takes effect July 1, 2012.