Bill > HB685

This bill prohibits medical care facilities from using genetic sequencers (devices for determining the order of bases in the human genome) or their associated operational and research software produced in or by countries designated as foreign adversaries by the federal government, and also prohibits storing genetic sequencing data in such countries. Medical facilities must certify their compliance annually to the Commissioner of Health, under penalty of perjury, and face a civil penalty of $10,000 per violation if they fail to comply or knowingly store genetic sequencing data outside the United States. Additionally, health insurance carriers are prohibited from covering human organ transplants performed in China or other designated foreign countries, or if the organ originated from these countries, with carriers facing a $100,000 civil penalty for each violation. The bill defines "foreign adversary" by referencing a federal regulation and clarifies that "carrier" and "health benefit plan" have their existing meanings under state law, while also defining "forced organ harvesting" as the unethical removal of organs.

Health and Social Services

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB685