If a parent has to consent for their child to receive a medical procedure or test, then they should be able to access the resulting records and results. That’s the idea behind a new law brought by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield).

Under prior Illinois law, parents have access to medical records for children under the age of 12; however, they may be denied access to records and test results for children 12 -17 years of age, even if the records are from tests and/or procedures that required parental consent to be performed. Once the child turns 18, if they are declared a developmentally disabled adult, parents can once again get access.

Senate Bill 188 closes the glaring loophole for special needs children aged 12 – 17 and allows parents access to these important records of their child, who often aren’t physically able to provide consent.

The bill was signed into law by the Governor on August 4^th.