H616 - Amendment to Access of Children’s Mental Health Records

This bill amends existing Section 16-2428 to revise provisions regarding the disclosure of mental health records of a child. Specifically, it includes Medicaid where insurance is mentioned in Section 2 of the code.

There are situations where children over 14 need mental health services but are denied by insurance/Medicaid. The parents in some cases will appeal that decision, but they need access to the medical records. Medicaid is not specified in the statute so these parents cannot access the records for the appeal. This bill includes Medicaid, the same as private insurance. It doesn't affect many children other than the ones whose parents are appealing a Medicaid denial.