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SF 2940

Minnesota Data Privacy Act modification to make consumer health data a form of sensitive data provision and sensitive data additional protections addition provision

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Latz and 3 co-sponsors

Bill reclassifies consumer health data as sensitive personal information under Minnesota law, requiring businesses to implement enhanced security and privacy protections for medical records and health information.

Author added Latz
#commerceandcommercedepartment #consumerprotection #datapracticesandprivacy #healthandhealthdepartment
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SF 2940

Legislative bill overview

SF 2940 modifies Minnesota's Data Privacy Act by classifying consumer health data as "sensitive data," which triggers stricter protection requirements for businesses and organizations that collect it. The bill adds enhanced safeguards specifically for health information, establishing a higher standard of care than currently exists for general consumer data.

Why is this important

Health data is among the most sensitive personal information individuals possess, containing intimate details about medical conditions, medications, and treatments. Strengthening protections for this data could reduce unauthorized access, misuse, and sale of health records—issues that have increased as healthcare systems digitize and data breaches become more common. However, compliance costs may impact healthcare providers, insurers, and health tech companies.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: What counts as "health data" (pharmacy records, mental health, genetic information, fitness trackers) could be broadly or narrowly interpreted, affecting how many entities must comply.
  • Business compliance burden: Smaller healthcare providers and startups may face significant costs implementing enhanced security measures, encryption, and audit systems.
  • Innovation concerns: Stricter data restrictions could limit beneficial uses like medical research, population health analytics, and AI-driven diagnostics that rely on aggregated health data.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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