Which rule outlines safeguards for electronically protected health information?

The correct answer is the Security Rule, which serves as a critical component in the framework of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The Security Rule specifically mandates protections for electronically protected health information (ePHI). This rule outlines necessary administrative, physical, and technical safeguards that covered entities and their business associates must implement to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI.

By establishing specific security measures, such as access control, encryption, and audit controls, the Security Rule helps prevent unauthorized access or breaches of sensitive health information. Understanding and applying the principles of the Security Rule is vital for any professional handling ePHI to comply with federal regulations and ensure the privacy of individuals' health data.

Other choices, such as the Sunshine Law and Public Records Law, typically pertain to transparency in government operations and public access to records, while the HIPAA Privacy Rule mainly governs the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI) in general, not specifically focusing on electronic data.