An act relating to genetic data privacy
Sponsored By: Robin P Scheu (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Limits on sharing your genetic information
Beginning July 1, 2026, consumer genetic testing companies face limits on sharing Vermont residents’ information. Companies cannot disclose genetic data to groups making or advising on insurance or employment decisions. This covers health, life, long-term care, and disability insurance. Government access to consumer information, including names and genetic data, requires a court-issued search warrant based on probable cause. Alternatively, the company must notify the consumer and get express consent before sharing with the government.
Limits on storing your genetic data
Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont residents’ genetic data and samples cannot be stored in sanctioned countries or designated foreign adversaries. Storage or transfer outside the United States requires your express consent. Testing companies’ contracts must bar service providers from using samples, genetic data, or identity information for unrelated commercial purposes. Providers cannot combine that information with information from elsewhere, except as required by law. When a contract ends, providers must immediately destroy covered genetic data and cannot share, transfer, or sell it before destruction.
More control over your genetic data
Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont residents gain rights over data held by direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies. Companies must get explicit consent after clear notice explaining who can access or share data and for what purposes. Consent also covers storing samples after testing, uses beyond the main purpose, and marketing based on your genetic information. You can access your data, delete your account and data, and request sample destruction; legal retention duties still apply. Companies must notify all recipients of your data or samples within 30 days of a covered deletion request. Withdrawing consent must be at least as easy as giving it; companies must honor withdrawal within 30 days. Stored samples covered by withdrawn consent must also be destroyed within 30 days. Companies must use reasonable security measures. General ads on their own site or app do not need genetic-data marketing consent. Third-party ads must identify the advertiser and state whether the company checked or endorsed the claims.
No punishment for genetic privacy choices
Beginning July 1, 2026, people and public entities cannot punish Vermont consumers for using rights under this law. They cannot deny or change goods, services, or benefits, charge different prices, or impose penalties for using those rights. They also cannot threaten such differences. Exercising a privacy right cannot be treated as grounds to suspect criminal or unlawful conduct.
Some genetic uses fall outside protections
Beginning July 1, 2026, some genetic information and activities fall outside Vermont’s new genetic privacy rules. Exclusions cover HIPAA-governed health information and covered entities or business associates handling genetic information like medical records. Nonprofit college research or education qualifies when the institution holds a federal health agency assurance and follows human-subject protections. Tests solely to diagnose a specific disease are excluded when everyone involved handles the information like medical records. Employer use needed to meet workplace health and safety laws is also excluded. Data stripped of identifying details is excluded only with required safeguards; data reidentified for assessments must then be destroyed. Existing federal health privacy duties remain, and the stronger privacy standard controls when multiple laws apply.
Privacy enforcement with temporary lawsuit notice
Beginning July 1, 2026, violations by genetic testing companies or service providers count as unfair and deceptive acts in commerce. Vermont’s Attorney General can make rules, investigate, bring civil cases, and enter agreements to stop violations. Before suing, consumers must send written notice describing the alleged violation in as much detail as possible. A consumer can sue if it remains unfixed after 30 days from receipt, or the parties disagree about the fix. This notice-and-cure requirement is repealed effective June 30, 2028.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Robin P Scheu
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Angela Arsenault
Democratic • House
Barbara Rachelson
Democratic • House
Bram Kleppner
Democratic • House
Brian J Cina
Democrat/Progressive • House
Carol Ode
Democratic • House
Chloe Tomlinson
Democrat/Progressive • House
Christopher Morrow
Democratic • House
Daniel A Noyes
Democratic • House
Doug Bishop
Democratic • House
James A Gregoire
Republican • House
James W Masland
Democratic • House
Jubilee McGill
Democratic • House
Kate McCann
Democratic • House
Kathleen C James
Democratic • House
Larry Satcowitz
Democratic • House
Leonora Dodge
Democratic • House
Mary E. E Howard
Democratic • House
Matthew J Birong
Democratic • House
Michael Mrowicki
Democratic • House
Monique Priestley
Democratic • House
Phil Pouech
Democratic • House
Rebecca Holcombe
Democratic • House
Shawn Sweeney
Democratic • House
Thomas S Stevens
Democratic • House
Tiffany Bluemle
Democratic • House
William "Will" Greer
Democratic • House
Woodman H Page
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
House message: Governor approved bill on June 15, 2026
5/29/2026HouseSigned by Governor on June 15, 2026
5/29/2026HouseDelivered to Governor on June 9, 2026
5/29/2026HouseHouse message: House adopted Conference Committee report
5/29/2026HouseCommittee of Conference report adopted (House bill)
5/28/2026HouseRules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration, pending entry on Notice Calendar, as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/28/2026HouseSenate Message: Report of Committee of Conference adopted
5/28/2026SenateRules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/28/2026SenateCommittee of Conference report adopted
5/28/2026SenateCommittee of Conference report submitted by Senator Clarkson for Committee, text
5/28/2026SenateRules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/28/2026SenateCommittee of Conference report
5/28/2026SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
5/28/2026SenateHouse message: House appointed Conference Committee members
5/22/2026HouseSpeaker appointed Reps. Graning of Jericho, Marcotte of Coventry, and White of Bethel as members of the Committee of Conference on the part of the House
5/21/2026HouseSenate Message: House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment not concurred in and Committee of Conference appointed
5/21/2026SenateRules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/21/2026SenateCommittee of Conference appointed: Senators Clarkson, Brock, and Chittenden
5/21/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment not concurred in; Committee of Conference requested, on motion of Senator Clarkson
5/21/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment, text
5/21/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment
5/21/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment
5/20/2026SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
5/20/2026SenateHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment with proposal of amendment
5/19/2026HouseSenate proposal of amendment concurred in with further amendment thereto, as offered by Rep. Olson of Starksboro
5/15/2026House
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 135)Opens in a new window
6/18/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers
6/3/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
6/3/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/8/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/8/2026
As Passed by the House
2/26/2026
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
2/26/2026
As Introduced
1/12/2026
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