This chapter does not authorize a patient to obtain a copy of the patient's health records while the patient is an inpatient of a hospital, health facility, or facility licensed under IC 12-24 or IC 12-29 . However, if the inpatient is:

1. (1) unemancipated and less than eighteen (18) years of age, a parent, guardian, or next of kin (if the patient does not have a parent or guardian) is entitled to obtain a copy of the health records of the inpatient;
2. (2) incompetent to request the patient's own health records, a spouse, parent, guardian, or next of kin (if the patient does not have a parent, spouse, or guardian) is entitled to obtain a copy of the health records of the inpatient; or

3. (3) competent, a spouse, parent or next of kin (if the patient does not have a parent or spouse) is entitled to obtain a copy of the health records of the inpatient if the inpatient requests that the records be released.

   [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-4-8-7.]

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.22.