§ 12-11-13-7 — Access to records required

Indiana § 12-11-13-7

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Art. 11: SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
• Ch. 13: Statewide Waiver Ombudsman

Text

(a) An ombudsman must be provided access
to the following:
(1) An individual described in section 1 of this chapter.
(2) An entity that provides services to an individual described in
section 1 of this chapter.
(3) Records of an individual described in section 1 of this chapter,
including records held by an entity that provides services to the
individual.
(4) If an individual described in section 1 of this chapter is
incapable of giving consent, as determined by the attending
physician or as otherwise determined under state law, the name,
address, and telephone number of the individual's legal
representative.
Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), the ombudsman must
obtain consent under subsection (b) before having access to the records
described in subdivision (3).
(b) Consent to have access to an individual's records shall be given
in one (1) of the following forms:
(1) In writing by the individual.
(2) Orally by the individual in the presence of a witness.
(3) In writing by the legal representative of the individual if:
(A) the individual is incapable of giving consent, as determined
by the attending physician or as otherwise determined under
state law; and
(B) the legal representative has the authority to give consent.
(c) If consent to have access to an individual's records cannot be
obtained under subsection (b), an ombudsman may inspect the records
of the individual if the individual is incapable of giving consent, as
determined by the attending physician or as otherwise determined
under state law, and:
(1) has no legal representative;
(2) has a legal representative but the legal representative cannot
be contacted within three (3) days; or
(3) has a legal representative but the legal representative does not
have the authority to give consent to have access to the records.
(d) If an ombudsman has:
(1) been denied access to an individual's records by the
individual's legal representative;
(2) reasonable cause to believe that the individual's legal
representative is not acting in the best interests of the individual;
and
(3) received written approval from the state ombudsman;
the ombudsman may inspect the records of the individual.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.272-1999, SEC.35. Amended by P.L.174-2025, SEC.34; P.L.243-2025, SEC.6.