AUSTIN, TEXAS — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has reached a first-of-its-kind agreement with Austin Diagnostic Clinic (ADC) to end its practice of restricting parental access to minors’ electronic health records.
Under the terms of the agreement, parents will regain full, real-time access to their children’s electronic medical information, with exceptions only for portions restricted by state or federal law. The move is intended to reaffirm and protect parental rights in directing their children’s health care.
The Attorney General’s Office launched an investigation following reports that ADC’s electronic records system automatically blocked parental access once a child turned 12. Parents were required to complete a burdensome consent process involving repeated approvals from both the parent and the child before gaining access to any information. Paxton’s office concluded that this practice violated Texas Health and Safety Code § 183.006(b), which guarantees parental access.
Paxton stated that his office will continue to monitor compliance and take action against any practice that denies parents their legal rights in matters concerning their children’s health…