blocked parents get an e-mail every six months

The text as introduced · 247 words

89R5596 LRM-D

By: Hughes
S.B. No. 1161

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to notice regarding access by a parent, guardian, or

managing conservator to a child's health records.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 181.102, Health and Safety Code, is

amended by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:

(d) Subject to Subsection (e), a covered entity that

restricts a parent's, guardian's, or managing conservator's access

to an online patient portal or health software application

containing the electronic health records of a child who is 17 years

of age or younger shall notify each parent, guardian, or managing

conservator that the parent, guardian, or managing conservator may

access the child's records by contacting the covered entity. The

covered entity shall:

(1) provide the notification by e-mail every six

months using the most recent e-mail address on file for the parent,

guardian, or managing conservator; and

(2) include in the notification the telephone number,

e-mail address, and mailing address of the division of the covered

entity that maintains the records.

(e) A covered entity:

(1) is only required to provide notification under

Subsection (d) if the covered entity electronically maintains

health records for a child who received care or treatment from the

covered entity within the preceding 48 months; and

(2) is not required to ensure the parent, guardian, or

managing conservator received the provided notification.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.