Vermont legislation · 2025-2026 Session
Vermont H639: An act relating to genetic data privacy
Status: Signed into law, June 15, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to genetic data privacy. (H.639) It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont.
From the chaptered text, June 15, 2026:
An act relating to genetic data privacy. (H.639) It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: Sec. 1. 9 V.S.A. chapter 61A is added to read: CHAPTER 61A. DATA PRIVACY Subchapter 1. Genetic Information Privacy § 2421a. SHORT TITLE AND DEFINITIONS (a) This subchapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the "Genetic Information Privacy Act." (b) As used in this subchapter: (1) "Affirmative authorization" means an action that demonstrates an intentional decision by a consumer. (2) "Biological sample" means any material part of the human, discharge therefrom, or derivative thereof, such as tissue, blood, urine, or saliva, known to contain deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). (3)(A) "Biometric data" means data generated from the technological processing of a consumer's unique biological, physical, or physiological characteristics that allow or confirm the unique identification of the consumer, (ii) fingerprints; (iii) facial or hand mapping, geometry, or templates; VT LEG #390209 v.1 No. 135 Page 2 of 17 (iv) vein patterns; (v) voice prints or vocal biomarkers; and (vi) gait or personally identifying physical movement or patterns. (B) "Biometric data" does not (ii) an audio or video recording; or (iii) any data generated from a digital or physical photograph, or an audio or video recording, unless such data is generated to identify a specific consumer. (4) "Consumer" means an …
Sponsors
- Robin Scheu (D, Addison-1) · primary sponsor
- Angela Arsenault (D, Chittenden-2)
- Matthew Birong (D, Addison-3)
- Doug Bishop (D, Chittenden-20)
- Tiffany Bluemle (D, Chittenden-13)
- Brian Cina (D, Chittenden-15)
- Leonora Dodge (D, Chittenden-23)
- William Greer (D, Bennington-2)
- James Gregoire (R, Franklin-6)
- Rebecca Holcombe (D, Windsor-Orange-2)
- Mary Howard (D, Rutland-6)
- Kathleen James (D, Bennington-4)
Latest actions
- : House message: Governor approved bill on [June 15, 2026]
- : Signed by Governor on [June 15, 2026]
- : Delivered to Governor on [June 9, 2026]
- : House message: House adopted Conference Committee report
- : Committee of Conference report adopted (House bill)
- : Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration, pending entry on Notice Calendar, as moved by Rep. [McCoy of Poultney]
- : Senate Message: Report of Committee of Conference adopted
- : Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator [Baruth]
- : Committee of Conference report adopted
- : Committee of Conference report submitted by Senator [Clarkson] for Committee, text
Common questions
- What is H639?
- H639 is a bill in the Vermont Legislature (2025-2026 Session): An act relating to genetic data privacy.
- What does H639 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to genetic data privacy. (H.639) It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont.
- What is the status of H639?
- Signed into law as of June 15, 2026. Latest action: House message: Governor approved bill on [June 15, 2026] (May 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored H639?
- Robin Scheu (D, Addison-1), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H639?
- On the Vermont Legislature website: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.639
Source: official Vermont record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.