The Alabama Association of Pathologists (AAP), the Alabama Medical Association, and the CAP successfully amended a bill that would have criminalized the unauthorized use of genetic samples.
Why it matters: HB 449 proposed criminal penalties for “unlawful use of DNA,” potentially impacting individuals who handle DNA without a patient’s consent.
The backdrop: The bill initially failed to include an exemption for federal HIPAA-covered entities—an exemption which currently exists under the Alabama Genetic Data Privacy Act.
- The three organizations pushed for amendments to protect essential pathology and laboratory services and to uphold diagnostic standards.
Where it stands: The legislation did not advance in the state Senate.