From left, Rep. Brooks, Michelle and Terry Stansberry, and Rep. Eric Watson. Click to enlarge.
Governor Phil Bredesen has signed the Colby Stansberry Act into law. It was a somber day for the Stansberry family of Cleveland, but it was also a day of completion for the ordeal. Rep. Brooks invited Michelle and Terry Stansberry to the House floor for passage of the bill.
As introduced, the Colby Stansberry Act enacts legislation to regulate the release of medical records upon the informed consent of the patient or the patient's authorized representative when possible.
Local Cleveland High student and basketball player Colby Stansberry passed away in 2006 as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. The grief stricken family had not yet recovered from the trauma of the accident, the hospital stay and the funeral of their only child. Unbelievably, the family was jolted back into shock upon discovering a Hamilton County hospital employee released copies of Colby’s medical records to the public without permission. Shockingly, the medical records detailing their son’s injuries ended up in a high-school classroom discussion.
Unknown to friends and neighbors, the Stansberry family suffered in silence after finding out the truth of medical records laws in the state of Tennessee.
Michelle Stansberry was told by lawyers that, “the law had not been broken” and “if the family wanted a change – then you would have to change the law.”
Thus began a parents’ quest to change the state laws to protect all families in Tennessee and to protect the cherished memory and dignity of their son Colby.
“This was not an easy bill to pass,” said Rep. Brooks. “I am grateful for the patience and the prayers of the Stansberry family and friends.” A House colleague of Rep. Brooks stated, “There were months of work behind the scenes to get this law changed in Tennessee.”
Rep. Brooks continued, “It was all worth it to see the Stansberry family find some relief when the bill passed the House.”