Texas House Bill HB2382

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 3/30/09

Caption

Relating to information submitted to and maintained in the immunization registry after an individual becomes an adult.

Impact

The changes proposed by HB 2382 will have notable implications on the way immunization data is collected and retained. Particularly, it seeks to protect the confidentiality of individual health information and ensures that consent must be collected to include any adult's immunization data in the registry. The bill mandates that prior to an individual's 18th birthday, notification must be sent regarding the option to continue having their information stored in the immunization registry, thereby empowering individuals with more control over their health data.

Summary

House Bill 2382 aims to amend the provisions related to the immunization registry, particularly concerning information submitted and maintained after an individual reaches adulthood. The bill introduces significant changes to Texas Health and Safety Code, focusing on the management of immunization data for individuals aged 18 and over. It establishes guidelines on how health records should be handled, particularly emphasizing the individual's consent for maintaining their immunization data in the registry post-adulthood.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding HB 2382 include concerns from health advocates about the potential risks tied to data privacy for individuals who may not give explicit consent to maintain their records in the registry once they reach adulthood. Furthermore, while the bill is seen as a way to enhance individual privacy, there are discussions regarding the effectiveness of such measures in ensuring comprehensive public health management and the potential challenges for healthcare providers in accessing needed immunization histories without consent. Critics may argue that while the bill aims to protect individual rights, it could inadvertently lead to gaps in immunization records that may affect overall public health initiatives.