A bill to ensure the protection of human genetic information collected as a result of diagnostic testing for COVID-19.

Bill: 116-s-4249
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2020-07-21
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Civil actions and liability

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Genetics

Health information and medical records

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Right of privacy
Latest action: action_date: 2020-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-07-21
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This bill prohibits the use of genetic material collected as a result of a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) test for any other purpose without the written, informed consent of the individual being tested.</p> <p>A person who violates this prohibition is subject to a civil monetary penalty of not more than $100 for each violation.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4249 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 21, 2020 Mr. Tillis introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To ensure the protection of human genetic information collected as a result of diagnostic testing for COVID–19.

1. Protection of human genetic information (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall ensure that no person may collect, store, analyze, disseminate, or otherwise make use of, or benefit from, any human genetic information collected as a result of diagnostic testing for COVID–19, for any incidental use, or any reason other than such diagnostic or serologic testing, except with the express, written, informed consent of the individual being tested. (b) Enforcement Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty of not more than $100 for each such violation. (c) Definitions In this section— (1) the term genetic information has the meaning given such term in section 160.103 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations); and (2) the term incidental means any action taken by any person, directly or indirectly, to obtain genetic information from an individual, for any purpose, other than the purpose specifically authorized by the living individual from whom the specimen has its biological origin or another designated individual if the individual is a minor or is incapacitated, or if the individual is deceased, the individual’s next of kin.