Forget state laws - there is a Federal law called HIPPA that defines who owns your records - you do. As mentioned earlier, the dr office has the right (the responsibility) to keep the originals. Your new doctor needs to have you sign a Release of Information form and they should send it to old doctors office. As mentioned earlier, there may be a charge involved but they must send copy of records to new MD.

check out:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

Most health plans and health care providers that are covered by the new Rule must comply with the new requirements by April 14, 2003.

The HIPAA Privacy Rule for the first time creates national standards to protect individuals’ medical records and other personal health information.

It gives patients more control over their health information.
It sets boundaries on the use and release of health records.
It establishes appropriate safeguards that health care providers and others must achieve to protect the privacy of health information.
It holds violators accountable, with civil and criminal penalties that can be imposed if they violate patients’ privacy rights.
And it strikes a balance when public responsibility supports disclosure of some forms of data – for example, to protect public health.