Invoice gives added protections for private well being care information

LOCAL NEWS

UPDATED: APRIL 18, 2023 AT 12:19 PM

A invoice meant to shut the hole on well being information privateness protections, present individuals with extra management of their well being care information, and shield those that come from out of state to entry reproductive and gender-affirming care has handed the state legislature.

The vote follows a Northwest Progressive Institute poll that confirmed 76% of Washingtonians help stronger privateness protections for his or her well being information.

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“Web sites, apps, and well being monitoring units lack the essential protections we’ve come to count on when sharing our private well being information,” Rep. Vandana Slatter (D-Bellevue)the Home sponsor, mentioned. “There is no such thing as a option to consent and even learn about it. We should shield the information of Washingtonians and all who journey right here.”

“Folks have a proper to maintain personal well being information personal,” A dream. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), who sponsored the invoice within the Senate, mentioned. “With the My Well being My Information Act, Washington turns into the nationwide chief in informing and acquiring consent from customers when firms accumulate, share, and promote their well being care information. It’s essential that folks have the power to request that their personal information be deleted as soon as collected, and this invoice permits them to take action.”

HB1155 will:

• Require entities that accumulate Washingtonians’ private well being information to publish a definite privateness coverage to reveal how they use that well being information;
• Prohibit entities from amassing and sharing Washingtonians’ well being information with out their consent;
• Shield Washingtonians’ delicate well being information from being offered to 3rd events with out legitimate authorization;
• Assure Washingtonians the proper to withdraw consent and request their information be deleted; and
• Limit geo-fencing round health-care services to ship Washingtonians messages.

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The invoice creates two methods to implement the regulation: both the Legal professional Normal’s Workplace can examine violations and pursue litigation, or Washingtonians can convey their very own civil lawsuits.

“Washingtonians deserve the proper to determine who shares and sells their well being information, and the liberty to demand that companies delete their delicate well being information — and can now have these protections,” Legal professional Normal Bob Ferguson mentioned.

This laws is among the solely information privateness payments within the nation that features a personal proper of motion.

The Home permitted the invoice with a 57-39 vote in March. The invoice handed the Senate with a 27-21 vote on April 5 however with amendments. The Home agreed to these amendments right this moment. It is going to now head to Gov. Inslee for his signature.