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Bill

SB 49

safeguard the integrity, privacy, and security of genetic data and provide a civil penalty therefor.

2026 Regular Session

SB 49 creates civil penalties to protect South Dakota genetic data from unauthorized access, misuse, and breaches in medical and consumer testing contexts.

Delivered to the Governor on 2026-03-11 S.J. 520
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Bill Summary · SB 49

Legislative bill overview

SB 49 establishes protections for genetic data in South Dakota by creating safeguards for its integrity, privacy, and security. The bill creates civil penalties for violations of these protections, though specific penalty amounts and enforcement mechanisms are not detailed in the available information.

Why is this important

Genetic data is increasingly collected through medical testing, ancestry services, and research, creating privacy risks if mishandled or breached. This legislation addresses growing public concern about who can access genetic information and how it's protected, particularly relevant as genetic testing becomes more common.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition clarity: The bill's specific definitions of "genetic data," "integrity," and actionable violations may be vague, potentially creating enforcement challenges or unintended scope
  • Civil penalty structure: Without knowing penalty amounts, there's uncertainty whether they're sufficient deterrents for large companies or disproportionate for small providers
  • Implementation burden: Healthcare providers and testing companies may face compliance costs; unclear if the bill provides sufficient guidance on meeting new security standards

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

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