§34-9-15.1. Release of records.

(a) Upon the request of a patient or authorized agent of a patient, a dentist shall promptly release to the patient or his or her authorized agent legible and accurate copies of all records of the patient regardless of how they are generated or maintained. The reasonable costs of reproducing copies shall not be more than the amounts authorized by statute and in the absence of any statutory authority no more than the actual cost of the reproduction.

(b) The release of records under this section shall not be made contingent upon the payment of any fee or charge owed by the patient.

(c) The provisions of the section shall survive the closing of a dental office or practice for any reason, including, but not limited to, sale of practice, any disciplinary action, retirement, disability, or death.

(Act 2009-18, p. 43, §4; Act 2011-571, p. 1165, §1.)