HEALTHCARE PRIVACY PROTECTIONS

SB 404 strengthens privacy protections for patient health records in New Mexico by requiring healthcare providers and institutions to segregate sensitive information, such as reproductive health care and gender-affirming care details, from general health records. It prohibits disclosing this segregated information without explicit consent, repealing a prior requirement to report induced abortions. The bill directly affects healthcare entities, including hospitals, clinics, and insurers, that handle patient data. Key provisions define "health care information" broadly to include mental/physical health records and explicitly protect reproductive and gender-affirming care data from unauthorized sharing.