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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
candidate
petitions; felony disclosure
(NOW: releasing medical records; promptness)
Purpose
Requires a health care provider to provide a patient with access to, or copies of, the patient's medical records or payment records within seven business days of receiving a written request.
Background
A health care provider must provide a patient or the patient's health care decision maker with access to or copies of the patient's medical records and payment records on written request. A provider may deny access if a health professional determines that access is reasonably likely to endanger the life or physical safety of the patient or another person, cause substantial harm to another person, or reveal information obtained under a promise of confidentiality with someone other than a health professional, and access would be reasonably likely to reveal the source of the information. A provider may also deny access in circumstances related to clinical research or if the patient is an inmate and access would jeopardize safety, security, custody or rehabilitation within a correctional institution. If access is denied, the provider must document the reason a provide a written explanation and must release any portions of the record that are not subject to denial (A.R.S. § 12-2293).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires a health care provider to provide a patient with access to, or copies of, the patient's medical records or payment records within seven business days of receiving a written request.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
JUD 2/18/26 DPA/SE 9-0-0-0
3rd Read 3/4/26 37-16-6-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 20, 2026
ZD/MY/ci