Directs clinical laboratories to provide results of tests directly to the person on whom the test was performed.

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S634-2013 Actions

• May 20, 2013: PRINT NUMBER 634A
• May 20, 2013: AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH
• Jan 9, 2013: REFERRED TO HEALTH

S634-2013 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S634

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the public health law, in relation to directing clinical
laboratories to provide results of tests directly to the person on whom
the test was performed

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
The public health law is amended by adding a new section 576-d.

JUSTIFICATION:
Presently, in New York state, the patient must request a copy of a lab
report from a physician. This can take a great deal of time and is
sometimes difficult. This bill would provide for the release of test
results to the patient as well as to the doctor who ordered it.
Copies of the test results would be sent to both the doctor and the
patient. This would allow the patient to be an informed participant
in his/her own medical care and if the patient were to change doctors
or seek additional opinions regarding care, test results would be
readily accessible.

This practice is in effect in New Jersey.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2009/2010: S.2896 - Referred to Health Committee
2011/2012: S.3607 - Referred to Health Committee

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

S634-2013 Text

                      S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
  ________________________________________________________________________

                                     634

                         2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                              I N  SENATE

                                 (PREFILED)

                               January 9, 2013
                                 ___________

  Introduced  by Sen. STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
    printed to be committed to the Committee on Health

  AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to directing clinical
    laboratories to provide results of tests directly  to  the  person  on
    whom the test was performed

    THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
  BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


    Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding  a  new  section
  576-d to read as follows:

    S 576-D. RELEASE OF TEST RESULTS TO PATIENTS. 1. A CLINICAL LABORATORY
  SHALL,  UPON  REQUEST,  REPORT  THE  RESULTS OF ANY TEST, EXAMINATION OR
  ANALYSIS OF A SPECIMEN  SUBMITTED  FOR  EVIDENCE  OF  HUMAN  DISEASE  OR
  MEDICAL CONDITION DIRECTLY TO THE PERSON ON WHOM THE TEST WAS PERFORMED,
  IN ADDITION TO THE PHYSICIAN WHO ORDERED SUCH TEST OR EXAMINATION.
    2.  NOTHING  IN  THIS SECTION SHALL AUTHORIZE A CLINICAL LABORATORY TO
  ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF ANY HEALTH CARE PROFESSION UNDER  TITLE  EIGHT
  OF  THE  EDUCATION LAW. THE REPORT ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL
  CONTAIN A CLEAR STATEMENT, PRESENTED  IN  A  PROMINENT  MANNER,  TO  THE
  EFFECT THAT THE REPORT SHOULD NOT BE VIEWED AS MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS NOT
  MEANT  TO  REPLACE DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH A PHYSICIAN OR OTHER HEALTH
  CARE PRACTITIONER.
    S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.



   EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                        [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                             LBD04275-01-3