NJ A895

Parents and guardians of unemancipated minors under 18 must be granted access to their child's medical records without needing the minor's authorization, with exceptions for certain behavioral health treatment and sexual assault cases where disclosure may harm the patient.

Health care facilities and licensed professionals who provide parents access to minor patients' medical records receive immunity from civil and criminal liability and adverse administrative actions, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Existing exceptions remain for minors who independently consent to treatment for sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, substance use disorders, or outpatient behavioral health services for those 16 and older—parental access to these specific records may still be restricted.

The bill clarifies that reproductive health care privacy protections enacted in 2022 do not prevent parents from accessing their minor child's medical records as authorized under this legislation.

The Commissioner of Health and Director of Consumer Affairs are directed to adopt rules implementing these requirements.