Section 13-11A.—Motion for Authorization To Obtain Protected Health Information

Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026

In one sentenceThis rule lets a court order a party to sign a HIPAA-compliant authorization so the other side can inspect and copy protected health information, and a separate authorization for federally protected alcohol and drug records, both on a showing of good cause.

Full Text of Section 13-11A

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The judicial authority may, on motion of a party and for good cause shown, order a party to provide a written authorization sufficient to comply with the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, as that act may from time to time be amended, to inspect and make copies of protected health information. The judicial authority may, on application of a party that is in compliance with the provisions of the Public Health Service Act and for good cause shown, order a party to provide a written authorization sufficient to comply with the provisions of said act, as that act may from time to time be amended, to inspect and make copies of alcohol and drug records that are protected by that act.

End

Amendment History

(Adopted June 20, 2005, to take effect Jan. 1, 2006.)

Plain-English Summary

Section 13-11A gives the court two related but distinct powers. On a party’s motion and for good cause shown, the court may order a party to provide a written authorization that satisfies the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, letting the requesting party inspect and copy protected health information. Separately, on application of a party that is itself in compliance with the Public Health Service Act, and again for good cause shown, the court may order a party to provide a written authorization sufficient to satisfy that act, letting the requesting party inspect and copy alcohol and drug records protected under it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an opposing party’s medical records in a Connecticut case?

File a motion under Section 13-11A; on a showing of good cause, the court can order the party to sign a HIPAA-compliant authorization allowing you to inspect and copy protected health information.

Is a HIPAA authorization required for every records request?

Section 13-9(i) notes that a motion under 13-11A is not needed for authorizations tied to certain standard discovery forms; otherwise a motion showing good cause is required.

Are drug and alcohol treatment records handled differently?

Yes. Obtaining an authorization for alcohol and drug records protected under the Public Health Service Act requires the requesting party to be in compliance with that act and requires a separate showing of good cause.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 13-11A). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: HIPAA authorization Connecticut court orderobtaining medical records court motion CTprotected health information discovery motionalcohol and drug treatment records subpoena CT