Medical Records Retention Laws
Each U.S. state has its own rules—especially about how long records must be kept and how minors’ records are handled. This impacts access rights, historical data availability, and privacy protections.
📍 State Examples
| State | How Long Records Are Kept |
|---|---|
| California | 7 years (adults); 1 year after a minor turns 18 |
| Texas | 7 years (adults); until minor turns 21 |
| New York | 6 years (adults); until minor turns 22 |
| Florida | At least 5 years |
Some states also have specific rules about access fees, emergency access, or mental health record sharing.
🌍 International Comparison
| Country | Key Law | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| EU | GDPR | Strong privacy rights; patients can request deletion of data |
| Canada | PIPEDA | Federal law with additional provincial rules |
| Australia | My Health Record | National digital health system; opt-out available |