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Committee hears sharply divided testimony on bill to restore parents’ access to minors’ medical records
Summary
The House Health and Human Services Committee heard hours of testimony on HB 377, which would require providers to make minors’ records available to parents unless specific exemptions apply. Supporters framed it as restoring parental rights; medical groups warned of conflicts with privacy rules and risks to confidential care for vulnerable youth.
Representative Nellie Nicholl introduced House Bill 377, telling the House Health and Human Services Committee the measure clarifies earlier legislation and would ‘‘make a child's health care information available without charge to the child's parent for examination or provide a copy of the information if requested’’ (Representative Nellie Nicholl). Supporters said the measure is necessary for parents to give informed consent and to protect children.
Jordan Carpenter, legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, told the committee ‘‘parents possess this fundamental right which is secured by the US Constitution’’ and argued providers have no federal or state law that requires cutting off parental access at a particular age. ‘‘To provide informed consent, one must be informed,’’ Carpenter said, urging lawmakers to protect parental access.
Multiple parent witnesses recounted cases in…
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