COVID Specific. Health Data State Legislation.

What’s happening? Washington State is considering HB 1127 (2021 | WA) that would protect the COVID data that has been collected and assembled by a number of entities tracking the pandemic.

Why is this important? This is a big test for protecting health care data and public health. The bill would limit the use of the non-identified data for health uses only. The bill also exempts COVID related data from Open Records statutes.

How will this be important? There’s going to be another pandemic, and laying the groundwork on how health care data is used, collected and stored will be an ingoing question for policy makers.

Queen Anne and Magnolia News | Washington House passes bill to protect COVID-19 personal data