Bill Text: IN HB1493 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Access to mental health records.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-01-20 - First reading: referred to Committee on Public Health [HB1493 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2011-HB1493-Introduced.html
Citations Affected: IC 16-18-2-296.5; IC 16-39-2.
Synopsis: Access to mental health records. Defines "psychotherapy
notes" for purposes of the law concerning access to mental health
records. Specifies that psychotherapy notes are the property of only the
provider and must be kept separate from a mental health record.
Specifies a process for a patient to obtain a physician review related to
a determination concerning the patient's access to the patient's mental
health records, excluding psychotherapy notes.
Effective: July 1, 2010.
January 20, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health.
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A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
health.
(1) the owner of the mental health record;
(2) responsible for the record's safekeeping; and
(3) entitled to retain possession of the record.
The information contained in the mental health record belongs to the patient involved as well as to the provider. The provider shall maintain the original mental health record or a microfilm of the mental health
record for at least seven (7) years.
(b) A provider's psychotherapy notes belong only to the
provider, are not part of the patient's mental health record, and
must be maintained separately from the patient's mental health
record.
(b) If the provider withholding information under subsection (a) is a state institution or agency, the patient may appeal the provider's refusal to permit the patient to inspect and copy the patient's own record under IC 4-21.5.
(c) If the provider withholding information under subsection (a) is not a state institution or agency, the patient may request a review by a physician who did not participate in the original decision to withhold the information, is chosen by the provider, and agrees to perform the review, as follows:
(1) The physician shall submit a written request to the provider, including all of the following:
(A) A statement that the request is submitted under this subsection.
(B) The name of the patient.
(C) The name, address, and telephone number of the physician.
(D) The dates of care to which the requested mental health records containing the withheld information apply.
(E) A statement signed and dated by the patient authorizing the provider to release the mental health records containing the withheld information to the physician. The authorization, unless otherwise noted, is valid until the expiration of ninety (90) days after the date signed.
(2) A provider receiving a request submitted under subdivision (1) shall, not more than thirty (30) days after receiving the request, provide a copy of the requested mental health records containing the withheld information directly to the physician submitting the request.
(3) Upon receipt of a copy of the mental health records, the physician shall review the mental health records, perform any necessary examination of the patient, and make a determination concerning the patient's request for access to the withheld information. Subject to subdivision (4), the provider shall provide or deny the patient access to the withheld information in accordance with the determination of the physician.
(4) If the physician determines that:
(A) the information requested is:
(i) not detrimental to the physical or mental health of the patient; and
(ii) not likely to result in harm by or to the patient or another person;
the provider shall provide the mental health records containing the withheld information to the patient; or
(B) only a part of the information requested is:
(i) not detrimental to the physical or mental health of the patient; and
(ii) not likely to result in harm by or to the patient or another person;
the provider shall provide only the part of the mental health records that is determined to not be detrimental or likely to result in harm.
(d) Subsection (c) applies only when information is withheld from a patient under subsection (a) and does not otherwise expand or limit access to mental health records as provided for under state or federal law.