EVIDENCE-HEALTH CARE RECORDS

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. In a Section concerning the examination of health care records, provides that "health care practitioner" includes any therapist or counselor. Deletes language requiring a health care facility or health care practitioner to provide without charge one complete copy of a patient's records if the patient is an indigent homeless veteran in order to facilitate the person's application for federal veterans' disability benefits. Provides instead that complete copies of a patient's records shall be provided to the patient or other person authorized by the patient for the purpose of supporting a claim for: (1) federal veterans' disability benefits; or (2) federal Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits, or both, under any title of the Social Security Act. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that "health care practitioner" also includes any registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides that a health care facility or health care practitioner shall provide one complete copy (rather than complete copies) of a patient's record. Provides that an authorized representative shall provide documentation of authority to act for the patient. Provides that records may be released to a requester authorized by statute if the patient is deceased. Provides that the records may be provided for the purposes of supporting a claim for Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled benefits. Provides that, upon request, and if the records are for at least one of the approved purposes, the requester may obtain updated medical records not included in the original medical record free of charge if the request is accompanied by a valid authorization for the release of records signed by the patient, the patient's legally authorized representative who has provided documentation of authority to act for the patient, or such other requester as is authorized by statute if the patient is deceased.