PrivacyDigestJul 7, 2025

How to Build on Washington’s “ #MyHealthMyData ” Act

In 2023, the State of #Washington enacted one of the strongest consumer data #privacy laws in recent years: the “my health my data” act ( #HB1155 ). @eff commends the #CivilRghts , data privacy, & reproductive justice advocates who worked to pass this law.

This post suggests ways for legislators & advocates in other states to build on the Washington law & draft one with even stronger protections.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/06/how-build-washingtons-my-health-my-data-act

How to Build on Washington’s “My Health, My Data” Act

In 2023, the State of Washington enacted one of the strongest consumer data privacy laws in recent years: the “my health my data” act (HB 1155). EFF commends the civil rights, data privacy, and reproductive justice advocates who worked to pass this law.This post suggests ways for legislators and...

Electronic Frontier Foundation
Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyJun 8, 2023

@jonkeegan great reporting as always! It's be really interesting to look at how this interacts with Washington's new #MyHealthMyData law.

@themarkup

David HarlowApr 30, 2023
Buckle up! Washington State #MyHealthMyData Act signed by governor … #privacy #HIPAA #healthcare #health #digitalhealth #dataprivacy https://hintzelaw.com/hintzelaw-blog/2023/4/9/wa-my-health-my-data-act-pt1-overview
Washington My Health My Data Act - Part 1: An Overview — Hintze Law PLLC – Privacy + Security

The Washington My Health My Data Act will become the most consequential privacy legislation enacted in 2023. The sweeping scope and extreme substantive obligations, combined with vague terms and with a full private right of action, make this Act extraordinarily challenging and risky for entities see

Hintze Law PLLC – Privacy + Security
NorthwestProgressiveInstituteApr 17, 2023

New on NPI's Cascadia Advocate: VICTORY! My Health, My Data Act heads to Governor Inslee after House concurrence vote | #waleg #MyHealthMyData

https://npi.li/3tx

VICTORY! My Health, My Data Act heads to Governor Inslee after House concurrence vote

By a vote of 57-40, the House voted to concur in the Senate amendments to House Bill 1155, prime sponsored by Representative Vandana Slatter (D‑48th District: Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Medina, the Points communities).

NPI's Cascadia Advocate
Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyFeb 13, 2023

@drewharwell has more on data brokers selling mental health information at https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/02/13/mental-health-data-brokers/

The original version of Washington's proposed #MyHealthMyData would have banned this practice. The watered-down substitute allows it, although requires an authorization -- some protection, but nowhere near as much as prohibiting it. #waleg

https://privacy.thenexus.today/a-watered-down-substitute-advances/

Now for sale: Data on your mental health

For years, data brokers have collected and resold Americans’ personal information. But the pandemic-fueled rise telehealth and therapy apps has spurred an even more contentious product line: Americans’ mental health data.

The Washington Post
Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyFeb 7, 2023

Despite all the watering down, industry still isn't satisfied! Amendments to weaken enforcement by removing the per se clause, and give companies a get-out-of-jail free card (the so-called "right to cure") were voted down on Friday but will no doubt be back.

So It's potentially a tricky situation for WA Democrats. Despite a promising start , it's not clear that #MyHealthMyData is still on track to deliver real protection to health data, pregnant people, and gender-affirming care.

Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyFeb 6, 2023

Supporters of My Health My Data wanted the bill to move quickly -- and that happened. Good news! That said, industry lobbyists got a lot of the "improvements" (haha) they asked for in his substitute amendment.

The new version of #MyHealthMyData:

- no longer prohibits organizations from selling Washingtonians’ health data

- narrows the definition of consumer health data

- relaxes restrictions on "geofencing"

- has a lot more exemptions

See https://privacy.thenexus.today/a-watered-down-substitute-advances/ for more details

A watered-down substitute advances: Washington privacy legislation update, February 6

The new version of My Health My Data incorporates many of the "improvements" (haha) industry lobbyists suggested

The Nexus Of Privacy
The Nexus of PrivacyFeb 6, 2023

A watered-down substitute advances: Washington #privacy legislation update, February 6

Washington's legislative session is in high gear. Privacy highlights from the last week:

- the CR&J committee advanced a new version of #MyHealthMyData (HB 1155), incorporating many of the "improvements" (haha) industry lobbyists suggested

- ADS regulation (SB 5356) is likely to get a hearing in ENET

- The #PeoplesPrivacyAct (HB 1616/SB 5643) had a good week!

#waleg

https://privacy.thenexus.today/a-watered-down-substitute-advances/

A watered-down substitute advances: Washington privacy legislation update, February 6

The new version of My Health My Data incorporates many of the "improvements" (haha) industry lobbyists suggested

The Nexus Of Privacy
Washington Privacy OrganizersFeb 3, 2023

#waleg: striker amendent for #MyHealthMyData (HB 1155) consumer health data #privacy bill.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/committeeschedules/Home/Document/251088

The Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee has an executive session Friday at 10:30 am. Here's the video: https://tvw.org/video/house-civil-rights-judiciary-2023021056/?eventID=2023021056

@[email protected] of @futureofprivacy has some quick comments on the striker at https://twitter.com/Slaterfe/status/1621293941709479936

Show threadThe Nexus of PrivacyFeb 2, 2023

For TechCrunch, @runasand looks at how US police use digital data to prosecute abortions

https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/27/digital-data-roe-wade-reproductive-privacy/

Deep dives like this are vital to understand how effective proposed legislation would be at stopping these abuses. Washington state's proposed #ShieldLaw and #MyHealthMyData (discussed in https://privacy.thenexus.today/wa-privacy-more-favorable-environment/ ) seem like they'd address all of the scenarios @runasand discusses

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