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Committee deadlocks 8-8 on measure to expand parental access to child medical portals
Summary
HB 13 78, which would expand parental access to minors' medical records via patient portals, produced an 8-8 tie in committee after heated debate over federal-privacy limits and provider burden; the committee left no recommendation and will file majority and minority statements.
Representative Corson moved 'ought to pass' on HB 13 78 to give parents easier portal access to children’s medical records and argued parents need timely information about medications, side effects and care coordination. "Parents need that access to their child's records that's convenient for them," she said.
Opponents, including Representative Sher and a committee member who described themselves as the CEO of a medical center, cautioned the bill may conflict with federal privacy protections and could force providers to shut down portals rather than risk noncompliance. Representative Sher said the bill "goes way beyond" federal law and could put providers in a difficult position; another member warned that portals contain limited information compared with full paper or electronic records and redaction is not trivial.
Members told personal stories both supporting parental access and defending minors' privileged communications with clinicians. Representative Nelson described obtaining proxy access for a 15-year-old following a major injury and said delayed records can impede timely care; Representative Pearson warned that adding portals could require substantial new work by providers.
The clerk called the roll; the vote was an 8-8 tie. The chair stated the committee would have both a majority and minority report and left the bill without a recommendation.
The committee closed the hearing and moved to its next calendar item.
