Connecticut House Bill HB05977

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/13
• Refer: 1/24/13

Caption

An Act Requiring Prompt Disclosure Of Children's Medical Test Results To Parents.

Impact

If enacted, HB 05977 would amend section 20-7c of the general statutes, enhancing parental rights regarding their children's medical information. This law would ensure that parents have immediate access to important health data, which could lead to more informed decisions regarding their child's care. The requirement for a healthcare provider's presence at the time of disclosure could also provide parents with a clearer understanding of the implications of the test results, thus potentially improving health outcomes.

Summary

House Bill 05977, introduced by Representatives Vargas and Sayers, aims to mandate the timely disclosure of children's medical test results to their parents or guardians. The bill stipulates that clinical laboratories are required to provide test results as soon as they are available, ensuring that a child's healthcare provider is present during the disclosure. This provision is intended to facilitate better understanding and assessment of medical results by healthcare professionals as well as promote parental involvement in their child's health.

Contention

While the bill seems beneficial for parental oversight, there could be areas of contention surrounding its implementation. Concerns may arise regarding the logistics of ensuring that healthcare providers are available to discuss results promptly, especially in busy clinical settings. Additionally, there may be differing opinions on the timing of such disclosures, especially concerning the potential emotional impact on parents when receiving critical health information. Critics might argue that this requirement could inadvertently delay the communication of test results under certain circumstances.