technical correction; national guard

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

HB2857: Electronic Storage of Inmate Medical Records

This law allows the Arizona Department of Corrections to save inmate medical records as digital files and get rid of paper copies if a digital version exists.

What This Bill Does

• Allows the department to store an inmate's medical records electronically.
• Permits the department to dispose of physical paper copies if a digital version is stored.
• Defines 'medical records' as documents kept by the department or doctors about treatment given in prison facilities.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR)
• Inmates held in state correctional facilities

Terms To Know

Electronic storage

Saving information on a computer or digital system instead of keeping paper files.

Medical records

Documents about medical treatment given to an inmate while they are in a department facility, kept by the department or a medical professional.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill states it becomes effective on the general effective date but does not list a specific calendar day.
• The text does not explain how long digital records must be kept before they can be disposed of.

Official Summary Text

HB2857 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet

Assigned to
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ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR
H.B. 2857

technical
correction; national guard

(
NOW:
inmate medical records; electronic storage
)

Purpose

Allows the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry
(ADCRR) to store an inmate's medical records electronically and allows ADCRR to
dispose of any physical copies of an inmate's medical records if the medical
records are stored electronically.

Background

The Director of ADCRR, assistant directors, wardens and deputy wardens
may access prisoner medical history information maintained by ADCRR if the
information affects prison administration or the welfare of the inmate
population. Those officials must keep the information confidential but may use
the information to establish precautionary procedures and guidelines for care,
transportation and housing of inmates whose medical histories require special
management (
A.R.S. � 41-1606
).

An inmate may authorize ADCRR to release the inmate's medical record to a
member of the inmate's immediate family or to another designated individual.
The authorization must be in writing and comply with federal health information
privacy standards, and ADCRR must provide the medical record within 15 calendar
days after receiving authorization. ADCRR may also charge a fee for copying and
producing the medical record, unless the record is produced electronically (
A.R.S. � 31-224.01
).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact
to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.

Allows
ADCRR to store an inmate's medical records electronically.

2.

Allows
ADCRR to dispose of any physical copies of an inmate's medical records if the
medical records are stored electronically.

3.

Defines

medical records
as any medical records that are retained by ADCRR or a
medical professional and that relate to medical treatment that was provided to
the inmate while in a department facility.

4.

Becomes
effective on the general effective date.

House Action

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Prepared by Senate Research

March 13, 2026

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Current Bill Text

Chapter 0025 - 572R - H Ver of HB2857

House Engrossed

technical
correction; national guard

(now: inmate medical
records; electronic storage)

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

CHAPTER 25

HOUSE BILL 2857

AN
ACT

amending title 41, chapter 11, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-1610.04; relating to the
department of corrections.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 41, chapter 11, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-1610.04, to read:

START_STATUTE
41-1610.04.

Inmate medical
records; electronic storage; definition

A. The department may store an
inmate's medical records electronically.

B. Notwithstanding
any other law, if the department stores an inmate's medical records
electronically, the department is not required to keep and may dispose of any
physical copies of an inmate's medical records.

C. For the purposes of this section,
"medical records" includes any medical records that are retained by
the department or a medical professional and that relate to medical treatment
that was provided to the inmate while in a department facility.
END_STATUTE

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR APRIL 7, 2026.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 7, 2026.