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Rhode IslandH76392026 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- GENETIC INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT .

Sponsored By: Edith H. Ajello (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Fines and legal backup for violations

The Attorney General enforces this law in court. Negligent violations are fined up to $1,000 per violation plus court costs. Willful violations are $1,000 to $10,000 per violation plus court costs. Penalties are paid to the person whose data was misused. Contract terms that limit or delay your legal remedies under this law do not apply.

Clear consent and control for genetic tests

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies must give you clear, easy-to-find privacy notices. They must get your express consent to collect and use your genetic data. You must give separate consent for uses beyond testing, storing your sample, each third-party share (naming the party), and any marketing. Silence is not consent, and tricky designs do not count. You can access and delete your data, ask to destroy your sample, and revoke consent. Companies must honor revocation and destroy stored samples within 30 days, and they must protect your data with reasonable security.

Keeps insurers and employers out of your genes

Genetic testing companies generally cannot share your genetic data with health, life, long-term care, or disability insurers, or with employers. A narrow exception applies only when the recipient is not acting in that role and keeps the data walled off. No one can punish you for using these privacy rights. They cannot deny goods or services, charge you more, give lower quality, or treat you like a suspect.

Who this genetic privacy law covers

This law covers direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies and their service providers. It does not reduce duties under other privacy laws; the strongest privacy rule applies if laws conflict. It does not apply to HIPAA-covered health records or providers handling data as medical or protected health information. It also excludes nonprofit postsecondary research under federal rules, newborn screening, diagnostic tests treated as health records, and employer-held genetic data used only for workplace safety.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Edith H. Ajello

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Jennifer Boylan

    Democratic • House

  • Terri Cortvriend

    Democratic • House

  • Arthur J. Corvese

    Democratic • House

  • Megan L. Cotter

    Democratic • House

  • Cherie L. Cruz

    Democratic • House

  • Susan R. Donovan

    Democratic • House

  • Arthur Handy

    Democratic • House

  • Rebecca M. Kislak

    Democratic • House

  • David J. Place

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 68 • No: 0

House vote • 4/28/2026

GENETIC INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT PASSAGE

Yes: 68 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 223

    6/19/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/16/2026Governor

  3. Senate passed in concurrence

    6/9/2026Senate

  4. Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/09/2026)

    6/5/2026Senate

  5. Committee recommends passage in concurrence

    5/19/2026

  6. Scheduled for consideration (05/19/2026)

    5/15/2026

  7. Referred to Senate Commerce

    5/1/2026Senate

  8. House read and passed

    4/28/2026House

  9. Placed on House Calendar (04/28/2026)

    4/24/2026House

  10. Committee recommends passage

    4/9/2026

  11. Scheduled for consideration (04/09/2026)

    4/3/2026

  12. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    3/10/2026

  13. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/10/2026)

    3/6/2026

  14. Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

  • H7639 - As Introduced

    2/11/2026

    HTMLPDF

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