# Virginia HB685: Genetic sequencing; use of foreign genetic sequencing, etc.

Virginia HB685, Genetic sequencing; use of foreign genetic sequencing, etc., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Eric R. Zehr (Republican); status failed, last action 2026-02-03 (Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (7-Y 3-N)) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB685-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB685
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Genetic sequencing; use of foreign genetic sequencing, etc.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-02-03, Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (7-Y 3-N)
- Sponsor: Eric R. Zehr (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Health and Human Services
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (7 yes, 3 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Genetic sequencing; organ transplants; use of foreign genetic sequencing or genetic sequencer operational and research software; foreign storage of genetic sequencing data; health insurance coverage for certain foreign organ transplants; civil penalty. Prohibits medical care facilities from (i) using genetic sequencers or any operational and research software, as such terms are defined in the bill, produced in a country designated as a foreign adversary by the federal government and (ii) storing genetic sequencing data with a country designated as a foreign adversary by the federal government. The bill requires medical care facilities to certify their compliance with such provisions, under penalty of perjury, annually with the Commissioner of Health and subjects medical care facilities that violate such provisions to civil penalties. The bill also prohibits health insurance carriers from covering human organ transplants that occur in China or other designated foreign countries and subjects carriers that violate this provision to civil penalties.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Eric R. Zehr (Republican), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-03 | House | Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely | pass | 7 | 3 |   |

## Actions (6)

- 2026-02-03: Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (7-Y 3-N) (House)
- 2026-02-02: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB685) (House)
- 2026-01-21: Assigned sub: Health (House)
- 2026-01-13: Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/13/2026 4:45 pm) (House)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services (House)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102328D (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085501.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085499.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085501.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085499.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB685-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).