SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5239
As of January 18, 2025
Title: An act relating to the retention of hospital medical records.
Brief Description: Concerning the retention of hospital medical records.
Sponsors: Senators Slatter, Nobles and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 1/21/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires hospitals to retain medical records for all patients for a minimum of 26 years.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE
Staff: Rohan Bhattacharjee (786-7534)
Background:

A hospital must retain and preserve all medical records which are directly related to the care and treatment of an adult patient for a minimum period of ten years following the most recent discharge of the patient.

 

Records of minors must be retained and preserved for a period of at least three years following attainment of the age of eighteen years, or ten years following such discharge, whichever is longer.
Summary of Bill:

A hospital must retain and preserve all medical records for a minimum of 26 years. A hospital may retain such medical records on paper, microfilm, electronically, or other media.

 

This act applies to medical records created and retained prior to the effective date, as well as those which would have been created on or after the effective date. It does not apply to medical records neither retained nor preserved by the hospital if the hospital complied with the retention requirements that existed prior to the effective date of this act. This act does not exempt hospitals from compliance with any other record retention requirements.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 18, 2025.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.