Governor signs My Health, My Data Act into law
REBECCA PETTINGILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 8 months AGO
Thursday, Governor Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1155, the Washington My Health, My Data Act into law. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Vandana Slatter, D-Bellevue, is aimed at protecting Washingtonians' personal health data.
OLYMPIA – Thursday, Governor Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1155, the WA My Health, My Data Act into law. The bill is aimed at protecting Washingtonians' personal health data.
“As a mother and a pharmacist, I recognize the importance of protecting our health data and access to comprehensive health care,” said prime sponsor Rep. Vandana Slatter, D-Bellevue. “As a woman and a legislator, I am honored to have sponsored the My Health, My Data Act in the House to protect all Washingtonians' health and data privacy in Washington state, including reproductive and gender-affirming care.”
The release by Washington House Democrats states that the bill guarantees Washingtonians the right to withdraw consent and request data deletion, restricts geo-fencing around health care facilities, prohibits collection and sharing of health data without consent and requires entities that collect this data to provide consumers with a privacy policy disclosing the use of health data.
“Without a federal policy, this is where we are and the first in the nation bill we need,” said Slatter. “I’m grateful to my colleagues and the attorney general for choosing to rise to the occasion in protecting people’s right to privacy, personal agency and safe medical care.”
The release also said that HB 1155 allows the Washington Attorney General’s Office the ability to investigate violations and pursue litigation. Additionally, Washingtonians may bring civil lawsuits through a private right of action.
“This law provides Washingtonians control over their personal health data,” Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. “Washingtonians deserve the right to decide who shares and sells their health data, and the freedom to demand that corporations delete their sensitive health data — and will now have these protections.”
House Bill 1155 also provides requirements to obtain consent in order to collect, share, or sell consumer health data, to respond to requests to exercise a consumer right, and to meet specified obligations for regulated entities by March 31, 2024, and June 30, 2024, for small businesses.
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