SB 1188 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to electronic health record requirements; authorizing a civil penalty.

SB 1188 requires covered health care entities (like hospitals and practitioners) to store Texas residents' electronic health records physically within the U.S. and restrict access to only authorized personnel for treatment, payment, or operations. It mandates security safeguards to protect record confidentiality and adds a requirement for health care practitioners to include options for recording metabolic health and diet communications related to chronic disease treatment. The bill authorizes civil penalties for non-compliance but does not specify penalty amounts. It became effective September 1, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers and receiving gubernatorial approval.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 10 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MAJOR
This bill establishes comprehensive electronic health record requirements for healthcare providers in Texas, including data storage, privacy protections, and specific rules for recording biological sex information. The enrolled version adds new sections on AI use disclosure, minor access rights, and penalties for violations while maintaining the core provisions from the earlier version.
Scope change
The bill applies to covered entities including healthcare practitioners, home and community support services agencies, nursing facilities, continuing care facilities, assisted living facilities, intermediate care facilities, day activity and health services facilities, and home living providers.
REQUIREMENT

Requires electronic health records to be physically maintained in the United States or its territories

Mandates that EHR information be accessible only to individuals performing duties related to treatment, payment, or health care operations

Requires implementation of administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect EHR confidentiality, integrity, and availability

Prohibits collection, storage, or sharing of credit score or voter registration status information in EHRs

Allows AI use for diagnostic purposes with requirements for practitioner review and patient disclosure

Ensures minors have unrestricted access to their EHRs immediately upon request

Requires EHRs to include separate spaces for documenting biological sex and sexual development disorder information

DEFINITION

Defines biological sex based on observed biological sex recorded at birth and includes provisions for sexual development disorders

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes civil penalties up to $250,000 for intentional violations involving financial gain

TIMELINE

Sets effective date of September 1, 2025, with EHR storage requirements applying from January 1, 2026

Floor votes · Senate Apr 7, 2025 · House May 23, 2025

How they voted

236
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
Apr 7, 2025
D Democratic10
4 Yea 6 Nay
60% Nay
R Republican20
19 Yea 1
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
58
Key actions
18
Committee
10
Amendments
9
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 29, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 28, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health & Human Services
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
3 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors