TALKING RICHMOND: Bills Advancing, Bills Killed, Bills to Come
Though a bill to extend parental access to a child's online health records failed, one bill proposed by Scott is moving forward and two more will return in 2027.
By Del. Phillip A. Scott
Representative House District 63
In the Health Subcommittee, my bill HB1194, which would extend the existing principle of parental access to a child’s online health records (such as through MyChart), was killed.
Currently, only private hospitals are required to provide such access to parents. Public hospitals, including major providers like UVA and VCU, are exempt. This gap disproportionately affects families in Orange County and rural Spotsylvania County, where these public academic medical centers are often the only available option for care. Parents deserve equal access to their children’s health information regardless of where they receive treatment.
This is such an obvious way to improve our health system for parents. This bill came from my constituents who were crying out that they were being asked to get their children’s permission to access their 13-year old’s MyChart. My own daughter has severe disabilities, and I know I cannot afford to get her signature on something if I need to check the dosage on her prescription. In some households, this is a matter of life and death, and I will continue fighting for this.
Also this week, I had a bill pass, not in its full force, but still a step in the right direction. HB1229 will reinforce schools’ obligation to keep kids with disabilities safe. Currently, the Department of Education cannot enforce its regulations around seclusion and restraint, resulting in some heartbreaking stories about kids with autism being harmed, even to the point of death.
House Democrats agreed, and it is making its way through the Floor.
Some items I will be working on in the offseason are HB1195 and HB1315.
HB1195 is a bill that was continued to 2027 and will come back because of its importance. It needs some work this offseason, but the need is clear. We cannot adequately vet international and even out-of-state criminal records in our schools. We cannot allow perpetrators of heinous crimes to come to Virginia and commit those same crimes on our students. We have an obligation to protect our students, and we will continue the work on this.
HB 1315 would have provided essential legal protections for fire marshals who are appointed as law enforcement officers by their counties. Fire marshals aren’t asking for new roles; they’re asking for legal clarity to do their work effectively. This bill honors their service and strengthens Virginia’s commitment to first responders. Democrats saw the need but felt as though it needed more work, so we will get this bill ready and in the right posture for the next session. I do fear, however, that without passing and working on amendments for protections now, communities will suffer, and our Fire Marshals will get hurt.
Thank you for the opportunity to represent you. If you have any questions, please reach out to my office.
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I thought that parents did have the right to access their child's health records? Here's a 5-20-2025 post from the website of law firm Bean Kinney and Korman, based out of Arlington. Does the 2025 law only apply to private? Are UVA and VCU the only publics exempt from providing parental access? and why?
No wonder parents in the greater Fredericksburg area spend an hour on I-95 to access Children's Hospital in DC.
The Virginia General Assembly has amended Section 20-124.6 of the Code of Virginia, governing access to minors’ records, to ensure that no parent, regardless of custodial status, can be denied access to academic or health records, including those stored or accessible from a secure website.
What Has Changed?
It has been the case that parents, regardless of custody status (including legal custody), cannot be denied access to academic or health records for a minor child, absent good cause (such as a written recommendation from a licensed mental health provider, for example). The General Assembly has now specifically noted within the law that this includes “any such records that are stored or accessible from a secure website.”
Given the widespread use of portals for both schools and health providers, this provides an added layer of protection for parents who may have struggled to get access to a secure portal to obtain their child’s records. It provides a clear and enforceable way for parents to stay informed, even if they do not have physical or legal custody.
What If I Still Can’t Get Access?
Even with the law in place, misunderstandings or disputes can arise. If you are denied access to records after July 1, 2025, you can contact the school or provider directly, and if you still can’t get access or have questions, reach out to an attorney.
If you have questions about how this law impacts your parenting plan or need help enforcing your rights, please contact Michelle Bieber at 703.284.7270 or mbieber@beankinney.com.
Well written article - thank you.