Patient records: addenda.

Existing law requires a health care provider to allow an adult patient who inspects his or her patient records to provide to the health care provider a written addendum with respect to any item or statement in his or her records that the patient believes to be incomplete or incorrect. Existing law authorizes any minor patient authorized by law to consent to a medical treatment to inspect his or her patient records, as specified. A violation of these provisions is punishable as a crime. This bill would require a health care provider to allow a patient, regardless of his or her age, who inspects his or her patient records to provide to the health care provider a written addendum with respect to any item or statement in his or her records that the patient believes to be incomplete or incorrect. By increasing the scope of a crime, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. The bill would additionally correct an erroneous cross reference. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.