NY A05546

Authorizes the release of patient records of deceased individuals who were residents of mental health facilities operated or certified by the Office of Mental Health to family members, personal representatives, or others involved in the decedent's care upon written request

Requires the commissioner to create regulations compliant with HIPAA for disclosing deceased patient information, notwithstanding existing confidentiality provisions in the mental hygiene law

Prohibits disclosure of patient information if it would be inconsistent with any known prior expressed preference of the deceased individual

Allows health care providers to release patient information to family members when the information is needed for the treatment of that family member, upon written request

Takes effect immediately, except the deceased patient records provision takes effect 180 days after becoming law