Alabama · Legislation
HB 21 (2024)
Alabama Genetic Data Privacy Act
- Status
- Enacted
- Effective date
- October 1, 2024
- Last reviewed
- September 2, 2026
- Source review
- Primary source reviewed
Summary
Alabama's Genetic Data Privacy Act took effect on October 1, 2024. It regulates businesses that directly solicit biological samples from consumers for genetic-testing products or services, as well as contractors handling data for those businesses.
Topics: Genetic data storage/privacy/sharing (industry)
What it requires or prohibits
Genetic testing companies must publish privacy notices and obtain initial express consent. Separate consent is required for each transfer or disclosure, uses beyond the requested service, and marketing. The act also provides access, deletion, and sample-destruction procedures, requires security and contractor confidentiality, and authorizes Attorney General enforcement.
In plain language
If you use a consumer genetic testing service covered by the act, the company must explain its data practices and ask before several uses or disclosures. You may access your genetic data, withdraw consent, and request data deletion or sample destruction through the act's procedures.
Primary sources
- HB 21 enrolled act. Alabama Legislature. Accessed September 2, 2026.
- Alabama Code § 8-43-2. Alabama Legislature. Accessed September 2, 2026.
Record details
Record metadata
Record history
- February 6, 2024: Bill introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Source: Alabama Legislature.
- February 20, 2024: House passed the bill. Source: Alabama Legislature.
- May 8, 2024: Senate passed the bill as amended. Source: Alabama Legislature.
- May 16, 2024: Enacted as Act 2024-384. Source: Alabama Legislature.
- October 1, 2024: Act became effective. Source: Alabama Legislature.
- August 31, 2026: Record created from the enrolled act, current code, and legislative history.
- September 2, 2026: Project-authored analysis revised after primary-source review.
Technical metadata
Record ID: al-hb-21-2024
Topics: genetic-data-storage-privacy-sharing-industry
Record data file: data/states/alabama/al-hb-21-2024.yaml
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Cite this record
Who Owns Your DNA? HB 21 (2024): Alabama Genetic Data Privacy Act. U.S. Genetics & Genomics Law and Policy Tracker. Record version 1.1. Accessed [date]. https://whoownsyourdna.org/records/al-hb-21-2024/