Vermont committee reviews H.639 genetic data privacy bill, debates consent, warrants and cure period

The Brown House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development on Thursday reviewed draft 1.1 of H.639, the genetic data privacy bill, and debated key definitions, consumer consent rules and enforcement mechanics. Rick Siegel of the Office of Legislative Council walked the committee through the posted amendment and highlighted points for further drafting.

The amendment tightens definitions and consent rules that would apply to direct‑to‑consumer genetic testing companies. Among the changes Siegel highlighted were an expanded definition of service provider (covering entities that collect, transport or analyze biological samples), a new explicit definition of biometric data (technical biometric identifiers such as fingerprints, iris scans and voiceprints), and language that dark patterns do not qualify as express consent. "Draft 1.1 of the committee amendment to 639, an act relating to genetic data privacy," Siegel said, introducing the posted changes and noting the amendment does not depart dramatically from the introduced bill.

Under the draft, companies would have to obtain separate, express consent for specific uses of genetic data — including storage, transfer…