Sec. 3. (a) Health records may be requested by a competent patient if the patient is:
(1) emancipated and less than eighteen (18) years of age; or
(2) at least eighteen (18) years of age.
(b) If a patient is incompetent, the request for health records may be made by the parent, guardian, or custodian of the patient.
(c) Health records of a deceased patient may be requested:
(1) by a coroner under IC 36-2-14-21 or by the personal representative of the patient's estate;
(2) if the estate of the deceased patient does not have a personal representative, by the spouse of the deceased patient;
(3) if the deceased patient does not have a surviving spouse and the deceased patient's estate does not have a personal representative, by:
(A) a child of the deceased patient; or
(B) the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child of the deceased patient if the child of the deceased patient is incompetent;
(4) if the deceased patient was an incapacitated person for whom a guardian had been appointed under IC 29-3 or the law of another state, by the guardian of the deceased patient, except as provided in subsection (d); or
(5) if the deceased patient does not have a surviving spouse or child, and the deceased patient's estate does not have a personal representative, by any responsible member of the family.
(d) If:
(1) the deceased patient was an incapacitated person subject to a guardianship at the time of the patient's death; and
(2) a personal representative of the estate of the deceased patient is appointed under IC 29-1-7;
the guardian of the deceased patient may not request health records of the deceased patient under subsection (c)(4).
[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-4-8-3.]
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.22. Amended by P.L.28-2002, SEC.1; P.L.240-2017, SEC.1; P.L.45-2020, SEC.7.
Structure Indiana Code
Chapter 1. Release of Health Records to Patient and Authorized Persons
16-39-1-1. Right of Access; Written Requests; Deadline for Complying With Written Requests
16-39-1-3. Request for Patient's Health Records; Who May Request
16-39-1-4. Patient's Written Consent for Release of Records; Contents
16-39-1-5. Withholding Requested Information
16-39-1-7. Child's Health Records; Access to Custodial and Noncustodial Parents