State Rep. Jaime Greene today voted to strengthen parental rights regarding children’s medical history in the state of Michigan. 

“Parents have a fundamental responsibility to care for their children, and that responsibility requires access to crucial medical information,” said Greene (R-Richmond). “They cannot be left in the dark when it comes to medical interventions for their children.” 

House Bill 5974 would allow parents to access their minor child’s medical records even when the child received health care services without parental consent. The legislation amends the Medical Records Request Act to explicitly state that health care facilities may not deny a parent access to their child’s medical records unless federal law specifically requires such restrictions. “This is about safety,” Greene said.

“When a child faces a medical issue, parents are often responsible for follow-up care, medications, insurance, and treatment decisions. Access to medical records is essential for fulfilling those obligations. Today I voted to reaffirm the necessary role parents play in their children’s lives and ensure they have the information needed to protect their child’s health.”  The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.