US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

      (a)      In this section, "provider" means:

            (1)      An acupuncturist;

            (2)      A chiropractor;

            (3)      A dentist;

            (4)      A nurse;

            (5)      An optometrist;

            (6)      A physician;

            (7)      A podiatrist; or

            (8)      A person who is employed by or under contract with a hospital, nursing institution, or other health care provider.

      (b)      A provider may not knowingly or willfully destroy, damage, alter, obliterate, or otherwise obscure a medical record, hospital report, laboratory report, X-ray report, or other information about a patient in an effort to conceal the information from use as evidence in an administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding.

      (c)      A provider who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.