Ohio House passes bill expanding parental access to kids’ medical records Image By HPN Staff Key Points Ohio House passed House Bill 162 in an 87–6 vote, giving parents expanded access to their children's electronic medical records while still protecting HIPAA-sensitive information such as sexual abuse reports, HIV testing, and substance-abuse treatment. Supporters say the bill fixes a major gap, noting that parents already have access to paper records but are routinely blocked from online files—leading to surprise medical bills, delayed treatments, and difficulty coordinating care. The debate reflects Ohio’s broader parental-rights movement, following statewide policies on education and aligning with a national trend in which 26 states have enacted similar parental-rights laws. Ohio parents are one step closer to gaining broader access to their children’s online medical records after the Ohio House overwhelmingly approved a bill aimed at closing what supporters call a confusing gap in current law. House Bill 162 passed 87-6, with unanimous Republican support and backing from most Democrats. The measure allows parents to access their child’s electronic medical records, but HIPAA-protected information, including suspected sexual abuse, HIV testing and substance abuse treatment, remains confidential. Under current policy, minors must consent before parents can see online medical files, even though parents already have full access to paper records. Supporters say the mismatch has left families blindsided by medical bills and unable to manage basic care. Why it matters Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, the bill’s sponsor, said the effort started after parents approached him, frustrated by being shut out of information they believed they had a right to see. “This legislation developed from a group of parents who came to me frustrated by the sudden lack of access to their children’s medical records,” Click said. Ohio Parent Katie DeLand told “The Cincinnati Enquirer” she only learned of the limits after a debt collector contacted her about a sports-related procedure she didn’t know had happened. Other parents have reported delays in scheduling surgeries and managing ongoing treatment because they couldn’t communicate directly with providers. Opponents argue the bill risks creating administrative burdens, legal conflicts for health care providers, and risks to LGBTQ youth. Federal law allows clinicians to withhold records if they believe releasing them could endanger a child. The big picture The debate comes as parental-rights policy has become a defining issue in Ohio. Earlier this year, the state implemented a broad parental bill of rights focused largely on education, requiring schools to inform parents about significant changes in a student’s gender identity, expanding access to curriculum oversight and allowing students to leave campus for religious instruction. Ohio is part of a national trend: Twenty-six states have enacted similar parental-rights laws, according to Ballotpedia, giving families greater authority over educational content and school-based decision-making. SUGGESTED STORIES Why Ohio needs the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact This is a lightly edited excerpt of testimony recently provided to the Ohio State Senate’s Health Committee hearing. On behalf of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), representing more than 42,000 licensed respiratory care professionals nationwide, Read more Why losing sleep could be the latest medical crisis The American Medical Association has officially declared sleep deprivation a “public health crisis,” urging expanded research into the numerous factors driving the national trend — including excessive screen time for children and teenagers. More Read more Bipartisan momentum grows in expanding Medicare cancer screenings Cancer prevention advocates are calling on Congress to push through a new law that would boost early detection cancer screenings within the Medicare program. Combined with current practice, the additional screenings could save money and lives in the fi Read more
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