NASHVILLE, Tenn. –The Tennessee House of Representatives this week passed legislation clarifying and strengthening parental access to their children’s medical records, aligning state law with the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act.
House Bill 853, sponsored by State Rep. Michele Reneau, R-Signal Mountain, ensures parents, legal guardians and custodians have the right to access the medical records of their minor children, including prescription and rehabilitation records, even in cases where treatment was provided without parental consent under existing law.
House Bill 853 aligns state law to eliminate conflicting interpretations and ensure consistent application of parental access rights. The bill also establishes clear statutory definitions for prescription and rehabilitation records, providing greater transparency and uniformity in how medical information is categorized and accessed.
Safeguards to protect vulnerable minors are also provided. Access to records may be restricted if a health care provider is required to report suspected abuse and determines that releasing the records could reasonably endanger the life or physical safety of the child. Health care providers are required to notify a parent or guardian if a minor expresses suicidal ideation and is at risk of attempting suicide, ensuring families are informed during critical moments.
House Bill 853 now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for signature into law.
Rep. Michele Reneau represents District 27, which includes part of Hamilton County.
###