A Florida Senate committee passed new legislation to prevent direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies from selling consumers' personal health information to insurance companies.
Senate Bill 258 passed April 8 in the state's Senate Health Policy Committee, and an amendment was added that would prohibit any person or company providing direct-to-consumer genetic testing from releasing, sharing or selling health information about a consumer to a health insurance company without the consumer's consent. The legislation would require DNA testing companies to obtain a consumer's prior written authorization and written request for release of the information.
"This is a huge step in the fight for Florida consumers and your right to genetic privacy," Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis said in a news release. "Transparency is key, and I believe that just like your medical records, DNA information should only be shared with your explicit consent."
The bill will now make its way to the state's Senate Rules Committee, according to Florida Politics.