In Michigan and other states, current laws restrict parental access to a child’s medical records starting at age 12, meaning parents may no longer have access to certain sensitive health information, such as mental health, reproductive health, and substance use treatment records. Other states, such as California and Colorado, have similar policies, allowing minors more privacy in specific areas starting around age 12.
The proposed bill below seeks to change this age threshold to 18, ensuring that parents have full access to all of their minor children’s medical records until they reach legal adulthood, with possible limitations regarding their safety.
Proposed Bill for Extending Parental Access to Age 18
Title: Parental Access to Minors’ Medical Records Act
Purpose: To ensure that parents or legal guardians retain full access to their minor children’s medical records until the age of 18, thereby allowing families to make informed healthcare decisions together.
Section 1: Definitions
• Minor: Any individual under the age of 18.
• Parent/Guardian: The legally recognized parent(s) or guardian(s) of the minor.
Section 2: Parental Access
• Parents or legal guardians shall have unrestricted access to their minor children’s medical records until the child reaches the age of 18.
Section 3: Rationale
• This change aligns with the age of majority, ensuring that parents can fully support and guide their minor children’s healthcare decisions.
• This policy addresses disparities in access across different states, where current laws like those in Michigan, California, and Colorado grant minors greater privacy at younger ages.
Section 4: Implementation
• This act shall take effect one year from the date of passage, providing healthcare providers with time to ensure compliance and update record-access policies.
This bill seeks to create uniformity in parental access laws across medical settings and ensure parents can actively participate in their children’s healthcare decisions until they reach adulthood.