Medical test results: verification credentials.

Existing law, the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, prohibits providers of health care, health care service plans, contractors, employers, and third party administrators, among others, from disclosing medical information, as defined, without the patient's written authorization, subject to certain exceptions, as specified. This bill would require the Government Operations Agency, on or before July 1, 2021, to appoint a working group, consisting of representatives from the public and private sectors, as specified, to explore the use of verifiable health credentials for communication of COVID-19 test results or other medical test results in this state. The bill would require the working group to report its recommendations to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2022. The bill would require the Department of Consumer Affairs to, among other things, in consultation with the working group, develop and maintain a verifiable issuer registry, as defined. The bill would prohibit a law enforcement agency, excluding a federal law enforcement agency, from requiring a patient to show a verifiable health credential.