Bill
Bill > A1419
NJ A1419
NJ A1419Prohibits acquisition or disclosure of certain personal health information without consent.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits a health care provider, mobile application developer, or third party from acquiring or disclosing a person's biometric data, health data, or protected health information (collectively hereinafter referred to as "personal health information"), which information is acquired through the use of in-person or telephone communication, a mobile application, an Internet website, or a wearable device, without obtaining the person's consent. The bill requires the health care provider, mobile application developer, or third party to obtain the person's consent before acquiring a person's personal health information and no more than three calendar days before each disclosure of the person's personal health information. After obtaining the consent of the person, a health care provider, mobile application developer, or third party would not be required to obtain a separate and distinct form of consent before each subsequent acquisition of personal health information, provided that the consent obtained from the person has explicitly authorized such acquisition. However, each disclosure of the personal health information would constitute a separate and distinct disclosure, which would require a separate and distinct grant of consent from the person from whom the personal health information was acquired. Under the bill, the term "acquire" means to collect, obtain, generate, or store any information from a person through any means. In contrast, the term "disclose" means to transmit, release, transfer, share, disseminate, distribute, make available, rent, sell, or otherwise communicate any information to a third party. The provisions of this bill would not apply to a health care provider that discloses or acquires the personal health information of a person to or from another health care provider for the purposes of medical treatment or medical diagnosis. Moreover, nothing contained in the bill may be construed to limit, diminish, or abrogate the rights of a person under the "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," and any regulations promulgated thereunder by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HIPAA) or the obligations of a health care provider or third party under HIPAA. The bill further provides that if a court of competent jurisdiction finds a health care provider, mobile application developer, or third party has violated the provisions of the bill, the court may award damages, computed at a rate of $1,000 per violation, reasonable attorney's fees, and costs incurred in maintaining that civil action; and the private right of action authorized pursuant to this bill does not supplant any other claim or cause of action available to a person under common law or by statute.
AI Summary
This bill prohibits healthcare providers, mobile app developers, and third parties from collecting or sharing a person's personal health information, which includes biometric data (like fingerprints or heart rate), health data (like diagnoses or payment for care), and protected health information (as defined by HIPAA), without first obtaining that person's explicit consent. Consent for acquiring this information is only needed once if the initial consent specifically allows for ongoing collection, but each instance of sharing this information with another party requires separate consent, obtained no more than three days prior to the disclosure. The bill defines "acquire" as collecting, obtaining, generating, or storing information, and "disclose" as transmitting, releasing, sharing, or selling it to others. Exceptions exist for healthcare providers sharing information with other providers for treatment or diagnosis, and the bill clarifies that it does not override existing rights or obligations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Violators can face damages of $1,000 per violation, plus attorney fees and costs, and this private right to sue does not prevent individuals from pursuing other legal claims.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1419 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1500/1419_I1.HTM |
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