Genetic Research Privacy Protection Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (5 Apr 2016): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
What this bill does
The Genetic Research Privacy Protection Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to establish new protections for identifiable, sensitive information collected in federally funded research. Researchers would generally be prohibited from sharing this information with individuals not involved in the research. Exceptions would allow disclosure if required by law, necessary for medical treatment, made with the subject's consent, or for other compliant research. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would also be permitted to exempt identifiable biomedical research information from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
This bill primarily affects individuals participating in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research, particularly studies involving mental health or substance use, that are funded by the federal government. It aims to prevent their sensitive personal information from being shared outside of approved research contexts. Researchers would be required to obtain certificates of confidentiality to protect this information.
The bill was introduced in the Senate in April 2016 by Senator Elizabeth Warren and co-sponsored by Senator Mike Enzi. It was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As of its introduction, its latest action is simply "Introduced."
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Genetic Research Privacy Protection Act
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise provisions regarding disclosure by researchers of the identifiable, sensitive information of research subjects. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must prohibit researchers from disclosing such information from federally funded research to persons not connected to the research. Researchers may apply to have other research covered by this prohibition.
Disclosures of such information are permitted if required by law, necessary for the medical treatment of the research subject, made with the consent of the subject, or made for the purposes of other research that is in compliance with regulations regarding protection of subjects.
HHS may exempt identifiable information collected for biomedical research from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
Timeline
5 Apr 2016
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Common questions
- What does S. 2744 do?
- The Genetic Research Privacy Protection Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to establish new protections for identifiable, sensitive information collected in federally funded research. Researchers would generally be prohibited from sharing this information with individuals not involved in the research. Exceptions would allow disclosure if required by law, necessary for medical treatment, made with the subject's consent, or for other compliant research. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would also be permitted to exempt identifiable biomedical research information from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. This bill primarily affects individuals participating in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research, particularly studies involving mental health or substance use, that are funded by the federal government. It aims to prevent their sensitive personal information from being shared outside of approved research contexts. Researchers would be required to obtain certificates of confidentiality to protect this information. The bill was introduced in the Senate in April 2016 by Senator Elizabeth Warren and co-sponsored by Senator Mike Enzi. It was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As of its introduction, its latest action is simply "Introduced."
- Has S. 2744 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 2744. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 2744?
- S. 2744 was sponsored by Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] (D-MA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 2744?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (5 Apr 2016).
Related bills in Health
Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2026
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026
Access to Medical Supplies Act
Lower Premiums, Faster Payments Act
More bills from Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Stop Wall Street Looting Act
Youth Voting Rights Act
Fair Seeds for Farmers Act
Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act of 2026
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.