An Act Concerning The Fees Charged For A Medical Records Postmortem Report And A True Copy Certification.
If enacted, SB01101 will directly impact the financial policies surrounding the issuance of medical records following a child's death. Currently, families must pay certain fees to receive postmortem reports. By eliminating these fees for family members of decedent children, the bill not only seeks to promote access to important medical documentation but also expresses sensitivity towards the emotional and economic challenges faced by bereaved families. This legislative change could set a precedent for further similar fees exemptions in future laws.
SB01101 is a proposed bill that aims to amend Title 19a of the general statutes concerning fees charged for medical records related to postmortem reports. The bill specifically seeks to exempt members of the family of a decedent child from incurring fees for obtaining medical records postmortem reports and their certified true copies from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. This reform is designed to ease the financial burden on families grieving the loss of a child by removing a barrier to accessing vital documentation during a profoundly difficult time.
While the bill appears to have a compassionate aim, potential points of contention may arise during discussions in the legislative committees. Critics could argue that removing fees for medical records might lead to increased costs for the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which could affect budget allocations and other services. Additionally, there may be concerns about the administrative process involved in verifying family relationships to ensure only eligible individuals benefit from the exemption, which might complicate the operational protocols of the state medical examinations office.