BILL NUMBER: SB 238	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Calderon

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2009

   An act relating to medical information.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 238, as introduced, Calderon. Medical information.
   The Confidentiality of Medical Information Act prohibits a
provider of health care, a health care service plan, contractor, or
corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates from intentionally
sharing, selling, using for marketing, or otherwise using any medical
information, as defined, for any purpose not necessary to provide
health care services to a patient, except as expressly authorized by
the patient, enrollee, or subscriber, as specified, or as otherwise
required or authorized by law. Violations of these provisions are
subject to a civil action for compensatory and punitive damages, and,
if a violation results in economic loss or personal injury to a
patient, it is punishable as a misdemeanor.
   This bill would state the Legislature's intent to amend these
provisions to ensure that patients adhere to prescription refill
requirements.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature to amend Section
56.10 of the Civil Code, relating to medical information, to ensure
that patients adhere to prescription refill requirements.