MS State Asylum Records; provide procedures for access and exempt from confidentiality and privilege requirements.
Impact
The bill introduces the Asylum Hill Oversight Committee, which will be responsible for governing the access, use, and disclosure of these asylum records. This committee is tasked with developing standards for the curation and storage of the records, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations, and managing researcher access. By establishing such a committee, the bill aims to promote responsible use of the records while still protecting the privacy of individuals who might be identified through them.
Summary
House Bill 699 aims to address the management and access to Mississippi State Asylum Records, which were maintained at the Mississippi State Hospital from 1855 to 1935. The bill mandates that these records be permanently transferred to the Rowland Medical Library at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. This transfer marks an important step in the historical accessibility of records related to mental health treatment during that period.
Contention
One notable aspect of the bill is its handling of confidentiality. While it allows descendants of individuals whose records are included to gain access, it requires that they provide affidavits attesting to their relationship. Moreover, records concerning individuals who have not been deceased for at least 50 years are exempt from being disclosed, which raises discussions on how long such sensitive information should remain confidential and to what extent descendants and researchers can benefit from this historical information.
Additional_provisions
Amendments to existing laws clarify that Mississippi State Asylum Records will not be treated as medical records or hospital records under the law. Consequently, these amendments are designed to provide an exemption from certain disclosure prohibitions, which has faced scrutiny regarding potential impacts on individual rights and privacy. The bill aims to strike a balance between public interest and individual confidentiality, a point of contention in legislative discussions.
Video recording of surgical procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)