WA HB1496

Caps fees at $50 for providing patient health care information to the patient, their representative, treating providers, patient's attorney, designated advocates, or guardian, with the cap also applying to third-party vendors acting on behalf of providers

Requires the Department of Health to establish standards for reasonable fees based on actual costs of searching and producing records, not per-page calculations, while considering electronic health record capabilities and federal laws

Mandates health care providers respond to patient record requests within 15 working days (extended to 21 days for unusual circumstances) and assist designated recipients in obtaining records rather than simply providing copies

Awards reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses to prevailing patients in enforcement actions against non-compliant health care providers or facilities, with a two-year statute of limitations

Removes the previous statutory fee structure of 65 cents per page for first 30 pages, 50 cents per page thereafter, plus $15 clerical fee from the definition of "reasonable fee"