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Delaware and Rhode Island: health record laws compared
Delaware and Rhode Island, side by side on the seven questions, with the laws read October 3, 2026. They give different answers on getting a copy, right to sue and AI in care, and the same answer on everything else.
The seven questions, side by side
"Differs" marks a question where the answers are not the same; "same" marks one where they are. "Can't compare" means at least one answer was not checked; a not-checked answer is not a no. Where a question has a map, the small square shows the color each column has on it. Each citation opens that state's page, with the law quoted, dated and linked. There is no total and no rank: the questions are on different scales, and some have no best answer.
| Question | Delaware | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Health data outside HIPAADo apps and wearables need your OK before sharing health data?same | Opt-inYes, at least for some businesses. A law in force requires your OK before they use or share your health data (opt-in).Another law is signed and takes effect January 1, 2027.6 Del. C. § 12D-106(a)(4) [Effective until Jan. 1, 2027]; 6 Del. C. § 12D-102(30) [Effective until Jan. 1, 2027] | Opt-inYes, at least for some businesses. A law in force requires your OK before they use or share your health data (opt-in).R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-48.1-4(c); R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-48.1-2(26) |
| Getting a copyDo you get a copy faster or free in some cases?differs | Faster for some patientsIn one way: a deadline shorter than 30 days, or a free copy in at least one case.24 Del. C. § 1761(l); 24 Del. C. § 1761(d) | Free copy in some casesIn one way: a free copy in at least one case.R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-19.1(16); 216-RICR-40-05-1, § 1.5.12(B)(3) |
| Health information exchangeCan you say no to sharing through a health information exchange (a network that passes records between doctors)?same | Opt-outOpt-out. Your records go through the exchange unless you say no, and there is a published way to say no.1 DE Admin. Code 104, § 2.0 (Delaware Health Care Claims Database Data Access Regulation); 16 Del. C. § 10301(a) | Opt-outOpt-out. Your records go through the exchange unless you say no, and there is a published way to say no.R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37.7-7(a); 216-RICR-10-10-6 |
| Are some sensitive records, like mental health or HIV, given extra rules? These answers record whether a rule exists and what it says. They say nothing about whether any care is legal or available. | ||
| Reproductive health recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.10 Del. C. § 3926A(b) | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-101-5(e)(2); R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-101-2(8) |
| Mental health recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.16 Del. C. § 5161(b)(13) | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.R.I. Gen. Laws § 40.1-5-26(a) |
| HIV recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.16 Del. C. § 717(a) | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6.3-7(a) |
| Genetic recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.16 Del. C. § 1205(a) | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-41-53(a); R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-18-52(a) |
| Right to sueCan you sue if your records are misused?differs | Narrow case onlyOnly in a narrow case, such as a data breach or one kind of record. The laws below say which.16 Del. C. § 718(a); 16 Del. C. § 1208(c) | Yes, in generalYes. You can sue over unlawful collection, use or sharing of medical records or health data in general.R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37.3-9(a); R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37.7-13(a) |
| Breach noticeMust you be told if health data leaks in a breach?same | Medical and insurance dataYes. The breach notice law covers both medical information and health insurance information.6 Del. C. § 12B-101(7)a.6.; 6 Del. C. § 12B-101(7)a.7. | Medical and insurance dataYes. The breach notice law covers both medical information and health insurance information.R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-49.3-3(a)(10)(iv); R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-49.3-4(a) |
| AI in careAre there rules for AI used in your care?differs | No law foundWe searched the official code and found none.24 Del. C. § 1720(k) | 2 of 3 rulesTwo of the three rules are in force. You must be told when AI is used in your care. A licensed clinician decides, not AI alone.P.L. 2026, ch. 374 (2026-S 2197 Sub A as amended), adding R.I. Gen. Laws § 40.1-5.5-3(a); P.L. 2026, ch. 374, adding R.I. Gen. Laws § 40.1-5.5-3(c) |
Not legal advice. This records what each law said on the date we read it. Laws and court orders change. State laws add to the federal floor. The United States score in the world index rates only federal law and national systems, so these state profiles do not change it.
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Health Record Rights Index by SuperTruth. Research tool, not legal advice. Text CC BY 4.0.