Health Information Privacy Reform Act | ChamberLight
Bills · S 3097
REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3097Civil actions and liabilityUser charges and fees
Health Information Privacy Reform Act
INTRO NOV 4· LAST ACTION AUG 4
READING
30MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Currently, many health-related apps, devices, and online services collect vast amounts of personal health data that falls outside the strict privacy protections of existing laws like HIPAA. This creates a gap where sensitive information—like data from fitness trackers, mental health apps, or fertility tracking apps—could be shared, sold, or exposed without the same level of consumer consent or company accountability as traditional medical records.
This bill matters because it aims to close this privacy gap, giving individuals more control over their personal health information in the digital age. If it becomes law, it would mean that a much broader array of companies handling your health data would be held to similar high standards as your doctor or health insurance provider. This could lead to increased consumer trust in health technology, but also potentially higher compliance costs for businesses. If it doesn't become law, this expanding universe of health data would largely remain without comprehensive federal privacy protections, leaving individuals vulnerable to potential misuse or exposure of their sensitive health information.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create new privacy, security, and breach notification standards for a wider range of companies handling health data.
This extends critical health data protections to many entities not currently covered by existing laws, safeguarding more of your personal health information.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that these new standards provide protections that are at least as strong as those under current HIPAA and HITECH Act rules.
This ensures a high, consistent level of privacy and security for applicable health information, similar to what is expected from doctors and hospitals.
PROVISION 03
Grants individuals specific rights over their 'applicable health information,' including the right to access, amend, delete, and transfer their data.
These rights give individuals greater control and transparency regarding how their sensitive health information is used and managed by various entities.
PROVISION 04
Applies civil penalties for violations that are similar to those used for HIPAA infractions.
This establishes clear enforcement mechanisms and potential consequences for companies that fail to protect individuals' health data.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
COMMITTEE
AUG 4
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 538.
CALENDARS
JUL 30
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Currently, many health-related apps, devices, and online services collect vast amounts of personal health data that falls outside the strict privacy protections of existing laws like HIPAA. This creates a gap where sensitive information—like data from fitness trackers, mental health apps, or fertility tracking apps—could be shared, sold, or exposed without the same level of consumer consent or company accountability as traditional medical records.
This bill matters because it aims to close this privacy gap, giving individuals more control over their personal health information in the digital age. If it becomes law, it would mean that a much broader array of companies handling your health data would be held to similar high standards as your doctor or health insurance provider. This could lead to increased consumer trust in health technology, but also potentially higher compliance costs for businesses. If it doesn't become law, this expanding universe of health data would largely remain without comprehensive federal privacy protections, leaving individuals vulnerable to potential misuse or exposure of their sensitive health information.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create new privacy, security, and breach notification standards for a wider range of companies handling health data.
This extends critical health data protections to many entities not currently covered by existing laws, safeguarding more of your personal health information.
high
Mandates that these new standards provide protections that are at least as strong as those under current HIPAA and HITECH Act rules.
This ensures a high, consistent level of privacy and security for applicable health information, similar to what is expected from doctors and hospitals.
high
Grants individuals specific rights over their 'applicable health information,' including the right to access, amend, delete, and transfer their data.
These rights give individuals greater control and transparency regarding how their sensitive health information is used and managed by various entities.
med
Applies civil penalties for violations that are similar to those used for HIPAA infractions.
This establishes clear enforcement mechanisms and potential consequences for companies that fail to protect individuals' health data.
Varies, based on existing HIPAA civil monetary penalty regulations (e.g., $100 to $50,000+ per violation, up to $1.5M per calendar year for identical violations).
Regulated entities or service providers
GLOSSARY
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Applicable Health Information
Any information, including demographic details, that identifies an individual and relates to their past, present, or future physical or mental health, healthcare services received, or payments for those services. This includes information not necessarily created by traditional healthcare providers or plans.
Regulated Entity
A person or company that decides why and how applicable health information is handled. This term specifically excludes government entities, entities processing data on behalf of governments, and those already covered by existing HIPAA rules (like doctors' offices or insurance companies).
Service Provider
A person or company that handles applicable health information on behalf of a regulated entity, but is not itself a traditional healthcare provider or business associate under HIPAA.
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
A federal law from 1996 that sets national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge. It primarily applies to healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses.
HITECH Act (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act)
A federal law enacted in 2009 to promote the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology. It strengthened HIPAA's privacy and security rules and increased enforcement.
ACTION TIMELINE
7 EVENTS
AUG 4
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
COMMITTEE
AUG 4
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 538.
CALENDARS
JUL 30
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Rules that require entities to inform individuals and, in some cases, the government or media, if their protected health information has been improperly accessed, used, or disclosed.
Promulgate Regulations
The process by which a government agency formally creates and establishes new rules or laws, often after a period of public comment.
