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<leg xml:space="preserve" billnum="HB0548" sponsor="Walt Brooks" designation="HB" otherSponsor="" otherHouse="Senate" subNumber="03" subSponsor="Walt Brooks" sess="2025GS" fileno="2025FL0950" date="02-28-25" printDate="02-28 15:36" subVer="3" minVer="0" office="LEGISLATIVE GENERAL COUNSEL" actionDate="" impact="code"><info><nextbuid>4</nextbuid><aminfo anum="0" effdate="05/01/2026"><seclist><sect action="E" src="code" buid="1" uid="C26B-2-S244_2026050120260501" sort="26B02 02440020260501" mtype="section" effdate="05/01/2026">26B-2-244</sect><sect src="uncod" untype="effdate" buid="3" uid="EF0000" sort="UZEFF" mtype="uncod" effdate="05/07/2025"/></seclist></aminfo></info><tbox><sinfo><nextpairid>0</nextpairid></sinfo><st numlevel="1" lineno="1" slineno="0-1">Genetic Information Amendments</st><sessionhead>2025 GENERAL SESSION</sessionhead><statehead>STATE OF UTAH</statehead><sponsorhead>Chief Sponsor: Walt Brooks</sponsorhead><otherSponsorhead>Senate Sponsor: </otherSponsorhead></tbox><lt numlevel="1" lineno="2" slineno="0-2"><lthead lineno="3">LONG TITLE</lthead><gdhead lineno="4">General Description:</gdhead><gd numlevel="1" lineno="5" slineno="0-5">This bill addresses the use of genetic sequencing tools and the storage of genetic <ln numlevel="1" lineno="6" slineno="0-6"/>sequencing data.</gd><hphead lineno="7">Highlighted Provisions:</hphead><hp numlevel="1" lineno="8" slineno="0-8">This bill:<hl numlevel="1" lineno="9" slineno="0-9" level="1">defines terms;</hl><hl numlevel="1" lineno="10" slineno="0-10" level="1">prohibits the use of certain genetic sequencers and genetic sequencing software;</hl><hl numlevel="1" lineno="11" slineno="0-11" level="1">prohibits genetic sequencing data from being stored within the boundaries of a foreign <ln numlevel="1" lineno="12" slineno="0-12"/>adversary;</hl><hl numlevel="1" lineno="13" slineno="0-13" level="1">requires relevant entities to certify compliance with genetic sequencing requirements and <ln numlevel="1" lineno="14" slineno="0-14"/>imposes security requirements for the storage of genetic data;</hl><hl numlevel="1" lineno="15" slineno="0-15" level="1">authorizes the attorney general to investigate alleged violations of genetic sequencing <ln numlevel="1" lineno="16" slineno="0-16"/>requirements, and initiate civil actions for those violations; and</hl><hl numlevel="1" lineno="17" slineno="0-17" level="1">provides protections for an employee who reports a suspected violation of genetic <ln numlevel="1" lineno="18" slineno="0-18"/>sequencing requirements to the attorney general.</hl></hp><moni numlevel="1" lineno="19" slineno="0-19" display="none">Money Appropriated in this Bill:</moni><moniNone lineno="20">None</moniNone><oc numlevel="1" lineno="21" slineno="0-21">Other Special Clauses:<ocl type="effdate" sort="2" numlevel="1" lineno="22" slineno="0-22">This bill provides a special effective date.</ocl></oc><sa numlevel="1" lineno="23" slineno="0-23">Utah Code Sections Affected:<saent numlevel="1" lineno="24" slineno="0-24"><snhead>ENACTS:</snhead><sn num="26B-2-244" src="code" uid="C26B-2-S244_2026050120260501" buid="1" sort="26B02 02440020260501" numlevel="1" lineno="25" slineno="0-25"><bold>26B-2-244</bold>, Utah Code Annotated 1953</sn></saent></sa></lt><enacthead lineno="26"/><enact numlevel="1" lineno="27" slineno="0-27">Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:</enact><bdy><bsec buid="1" num="26B-2-244" type="enact" src="code" uid="C26B-2-S244_2026050120260501" sort="26B02 02440020260501" numlevel="1" lineno="28" slineno="1-1" sn="1"><section numlevel="1" lineno="29" slineno="1-2" number="26B-2-244" type="enact"><secline lineno="28">Section 1, Section <bold>26B-2-244</bold> is enacted to read:</secline><catline lineno="29"><bold>26B-2-244. Genetic sequencing -- Storage of genetic information -- Enforcement.</bold></catline><subsection ssid="1-1" dnum="_-o:1-i" numlevel="1" lineno="30" slineno="1-3" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="1" placement="noreturn"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1000" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(1)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="13" groupid="10" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">As used in this section:</amend><subsection ssid="1-2" dnum="_-o:a-i" numlevel="1" lineno="31" slineno="1-4" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1001" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(a)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="60" groupid="48" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">"DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-10" dnum="_-o:b-i" numlevel="1" lineno="32" slineno="1-5" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1002" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(b)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="54" groupid="43" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">"Domicile" means the country where:</amend><subsection ssid="1-3" dnum="_-o:i-i" numlevel="1" lineno="33" slineno="1-6" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1003" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(i)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="18" groupid="14" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">a company is registered and headquartered;</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-4" dnum="_-o:ii-i" numlevel="1" lineno="34" slineno="1-7" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1004" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(ii)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="23" groupid="18" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">a company's affairs are primarily completed; or</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-5" dnum="_-o:iii-i" numlevel="1" lineno="35" slineno="1-8" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1005" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(iii)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="28" groupid="22" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">the majority of a company's ownership share is held.</amend></subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-6" dnum="_-o:c-i" numlevel="1" lineno="36" slineno="1-9" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1006" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(c)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="33" groupid="26" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">"Foreign adversary" means a foreign adversary identified in 15 C.F.R. Sec. 791.4.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-7" dnum="_-o:d-i" numlevel="1" lineno="37" slineno="1-10" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1007" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(d)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="44" groupid="35" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">"Genetic sequencer" means a device or platform used to conduct genetic sequencing, <ln numlevel="1" lineno="38" slineno="1-11"/>resequencing, isolation, or other similar genetic research.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-8" dnum="_-o:e-i" numlevel="1" lineno="39" slineno="1-12" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1008" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(e)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="43" groupid="34" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">"Genetic sequencing" means a method to determine the identity and order of <ln numlevel="1" lineno="40" slineno="1-13"/>nucleotide bases in the human genome.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-51" dnum="_-o:f-i" numlevel="1" lineno="41" slineno="1-14" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1009" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(f)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="273" groupid="215" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">"Genomic research facility" means a facility that conducts research on, with, or <ln numlevel="1" lineno="42" slineno="1-15"/>relating to genetic sequencing or the human genome.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-9" dnum="_-o:g-i" numlevel="1" lineno="43" slineno="1-16" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1010" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(g)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="49" groupid="39" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">"Human genome" means a complete set of nucleic acid sequences for a human, <ln numlevel="1" lineno="44" slineno="1-17"/>encoded as the DNA within each of the 23 distinct chromosomes in the cell nucleus.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-12" dnum="_-o:h-i" numlevel="1" lineno="45" slineno="1-18" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1011" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(h)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="64" groupid="51" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">"Medical facility" means a facility for the delivery of health services that:</amend><subsection ssid="1-13" dnum="_-o:i-i" numlevel="1" lineno="46" slineno="1-19" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1012" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(i)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="260" groupid="205" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">receives public funds, including pass-through appropriations from the federal <ln numlevel="1" lineno="47" slineno="1-20"/>government;</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-49" dnum="_-o:ii-i" numlevel="1" lineno="48" slineno="1-21" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1013" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(ii)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="269" groupid="212" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">is registered to provide health care services in the state; or</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-50" dnum="_-o:iii-i" numlevel="1" lineno="49" slineno="1-22" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1014" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(iii)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="268" groupid="211" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">conducts research or testing on, with, or relating to genetic sequencing or the <ln numlevel="1" lineno="50" slineno="1-23"/>human genome.</amend></subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-11" dnum="_-o:i-i" numlevel="1" lineno="51" slineno="1-24" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1015" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(i)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="80" groupid="64" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">"Operational and research software" means a computer program used for the <ln numlevel="1" lineno="52" slineno="1-25"/>operation, control, analysis, or other necessary functions of genetic sequencing or a <ln numlevel="1" lineno="53" slineno="1-26"/>genetic sequencer.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-54" dnum="_-o:j-i" numlevel="1" lineno="54" slineno="1-27" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1016" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(j)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="287" groupid="226" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">"RNA" means ribonucleic acid.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-16" dnum="_-o:k-i" numlevel="1" lineno="55" slineno="1-28" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1017" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(k)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="84" groupid="67" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">"Software" means a program or routine, or a set of one or more programs or routines, <ln numlevel="1" lineno="56" slineno="1-29"/>used or intended for use to cause one or more computers or pieces of <ln numlevel="1" lineno="57" slineno="1-30"/>computer-related peripheral equipment, to perform a task or set of tasks related to <ln numlevel="1" lineno="58" slineno="1-31"/>genetic sequencing or a genetic sequencer.</amend></subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-17" dnum="_-o:2-i" numlevel="1" lineno="59" slineno="1-32" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="1" space="false"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1018" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(2)</amend></display><subsection ssid="1-18" dnum="_-o:a-i" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2" placement="sameline"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1019" style="1" owner="i" level="1">(a)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="93" groupid="74" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">A medical facility or genomic research facility may not use a genetic sequencer or <ln numlevel="1" lineno="60" slineno="1-33"/>operational and research software that is produced in or by a foreign adversary, a <ln numlevel="1" lineno="61" slineno="1-34"/>foreign adversary's state-owned enterprise, a person domiciled within a foreign <ln numlevel="1" lineno="62" slineno="1-35"/>adversary, or an owned or controlled subsidiary or affiliate of a person domiciled <ln numlevel="1" lineno="63" slineno="1-36"/>within a foreign adversary.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-19" dnum="_-o:b-i" numlevel="1" lineno="64" slineno="1-37" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1020" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(b)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="98" groupid="78" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">A medical facility or genomic research facility with a genetic sequencer or genetic <ln numlevel="1" lineno="65" slineno="1-38"/>sequencing device prohibited under Subsection <xref tempid="958" depth="4" refnumber="(2)(a)">(2)(a)</xref> that is not permanently <ln numlevel="1" lineno="66" slineno="1-39"/>disabled shall:</amend><subsection ssid="1-52" dnum="_-o:i-i" numlevel="1" lineno="67" slineno="1-40" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1021" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(i)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="278" groupid="219" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">remove or permanently disable the genetic sequencer or genetic sequencing <ln numlevel="1" lineno="68" slineno="1-41"/>device; and</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-53" dnum="_-o:ii-i" numlevel="1" lineno="69" slineno="1-42" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1022" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(ii)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="283" groupid="223" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">use a genetic sequencer or genetic sequencing device that is not prohibited by <ln numlevel="1" lineno="70" slineno="1-43"/>Subsection <xref tempid="565" depth="4" refnumber="(2)(a)">(2)(a)</xref>.</amend></subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-20" dnum="_-o:3-i" numlevel="1" lineno="71" slineno="1-44" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="1" space="false"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1023" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(3)</amend></display><subsection ssid="1-21" dnum="_-o:a-i" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2" placement="sameline"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1024" style="1" owner="i" level="1">(a)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="109" groupid="87" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">A medical facility, genomic research facility, or other person that stores genetic <ln numlevel="1" lineno="72" slineno="1-45"/>sequencing data may not store the data within the boundaries of a foreign adversary.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-22" dnum="_-o:b-i" numlevel="1" lineno="73" slineno="1-46" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1025" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(b)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="113" groupid="90" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">Remote access to genetic sequencing data storage, other than open data, from outside <ln numlevel="1" lineno="74" slineno="1-47"/>the United States is prohibited unless approved in writing by the department.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-23" dnum="_-o:c-i" numlevel="1" lineno="75" slineno="1-48" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1026" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(c)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="118" groupid="94" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">A medical facility, genomic research facility, or other person that stores genetic <ln numlevel="1" lineno="76" slineno="1-49"/>sequencing data, including through a contract with a third-party data storage <ln numlevel="1" lineno="77" slineno="1-50"/>provider, shall ensure the security of the genetic sequencing data by using reasonable <ln numlevel="1" lineno="78" slineno="1-51"/>encryption methods, restrictions on access, and other cybersecurity best practices.</amend></subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-24" dnum="_-o:4-i" numlevel="1" lineno="79" slineno="1-52" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="1" space="false"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1027" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(4)</amend></display><subsection ssid="1-25" dnum="_-o:a-i" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2" placement="sameline"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1028" style="1" owner="i" level="1">(a)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="128" groupid="100" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">Beginning December 31, 2025, and by December 31 of each subsequent year, <ln numlevel="1" lineno="80" slineno="1-53"/>each medical facility and genomic research facility that is subject to this section shall <ln numlevel="1" lineno="81" slineno="1-54"/>provide a sworn statement to the attorney general and the department confirming that <ln numlevel="1" lineno="82" slineno="1-55"/>the medical facility or genomic research facility is in compliance with the <ln numlevel="1" lineno="83" slineno="1-56"/>requirements of this section.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-26" dnum="_-o:b-i" numlevel="1" lineno="84" slineno="1-57" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1029" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(b)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="133" groupid="104" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">A person that violates Subsection <xref tempid="219" depth="4" refnumber="(2)">(2)</xref> is subject to a fine of $10,000 per violation, <ln numlevel="1" lineno="85" slineno="1-58"/>enforceable beginning July 1, 2025.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-27" dnum="_-o:c-i" numlevel="1" lineno="86" slineno="1-59" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1030" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(c)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="138" groupid="108" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">For the purposes of Subsection <xref tempid="352" depth="4" refnumber="(4)(b)">(4)(b)</xref>, each unique instance of a human genome <ln numlevel="1" lineno="87" slineno="1-60"/>undergoing genetic sequencing or analysis using a prohibited genetic sequencer or <ln numlevel="1" lineno="88" slineno="1-61"/>prohibited operational and research software is a separate violation.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-28" dnum="_-o:d-i" numlevel="1" lineno="89" slineno="1-62" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1031" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(d)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="143" groupid="112" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">A person that knowingly violates the provisions of Subsection <xref tempid="1072" depth="4" refnumber="(3)">(3)</xref> by storing genetic <ln numlevel="1" lineno="90" slineno="1-63"/>sequencing data outside of the United States is subject to a fine of $10,000 per <ln numlevel="1" lineno="91" slineno="1-64"/>violation, enforceable beginning July 1, 2025.</amend></subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-55" dnum="_-o:5-i" numlevel="1" lineno="92" slineno="1-65" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="1" space="false"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1032" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(5)</amend></display><subsection ssid="1-56" dnum="_-o:a-i" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2" placement="sameline"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1033" style="1" owner="i" level="1">(a)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="296" groupid="233" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">The attorney general has the sole authority to enforce the provisions of this section.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-57" dnum="_-o:b-i" numlevel="1" lineno="93" slineno="1-66" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1034" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(b)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="301" groupid="237" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">Any person may notify the attorney general of a violation or potential violation of <ln numlevel="1" lineno="94" slineno="1-67"/>this section, and the attorney general may investigate an alleged violation of this <ln numlevel="1" lineno="95" slineno="1-68"/>section and institute appropriate actions regarding suspected violations.</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-58" dnum="_-o:c-i" numlevel="1" lineno="96" slineno="1-69" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1035" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(c)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="305" groupid="240" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">The attorney general may initiate a civil action against a person for violating <ln numlevel="1" lineno="97" slineno="1-70"/>Subsection <xref tempid="182">(2)</xref> or (3).</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-59" dnum="_-o:d-i" numlevel="1" lineno="98" slineno="1-71" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1036" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(d)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="310" groupid="244" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">In an action to enforce Subsection (2) or (3), the attorney general may recover:</amend><subsection ssid="1-60" dnum="_-o:i-i" numlevel="1" lineno="99" slineno="1-72" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1037" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(i)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="315" groupid="248" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">actual damages;</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-61" dnum="_-o:ii-i" numlevel="1" lineno="100" slineno="1-73" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1038" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(ii)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="320" groupid="252" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">costs;</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-62" dnum="_-o:iii-i" numlevel="1" lineno="101" slineno="1-74" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1039" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(iii)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="325" groupid="256" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">attorney fees; and</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-63" dnum="_-o:iv-i" numlevel="1" lineno="102" slineno="1-75" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="3"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1040" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(iv)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="329" groupid="259" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">$10,000 for each violation of Subsection <xref tempid="375">(2)</xref> or (3).</amend></subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-29" dnum="_-o:6-i" numlevel="1" lineno="103" slineno="1-76" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="1"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1041" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(6)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="248" groupid="195" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">An employer may not take an adverse employment action against an employee if:</amend><subsection ssid="1-47" dnum="_-o:a-i" numlevel="1" lineno="104" slineno="1-77" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1042" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(a)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="247" groupid="194" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">the employee notifies the attorney general of a violation or potential violation of this <ln numlevel="1" lineno="105" slineno="1-78"/>section; and</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="1-48" dnum="_-o:b-i" numlevel="1" lineno="106" slineno="1-79" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="2"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1043" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(b)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="253" groupid="199" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">the adverse employment action is based on the employee notifying the attorney <ln numlevel="1" lineno="107" slineno="1-80"/>general regarding the violation.</amend></subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-45" dnum="_-o:7-i" numlevel="1" lineno="108" slineno="1-81" ea="amend" anum="0" owner="ahaskell" style="1" level="1"><display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1044" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="start">(7)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="236" groupid="185" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="end">If any provision of this section, or the application of any provision to any person or <ln numlevel="1" lineno="109" slineno="1-82"/>circumstance, is held to be invalid, that holding does not affect the remainder of this <ln numlevel="1" lineno="110" slineno="1-83"/>section or the application of this section's provisions to any other person or circumstance.</amend></subsection></section></bsec><bsec buid="3" type="uncod" untype="effdate" src="uncod" uid="EF0000" sort="UZEFF" langlock="true" numlevel="1" lineno="111" slineno="2-1" sn="2"><section type="uncod" untype="effdate" display="false" src="uncod"><secline lineno="111">Section 2.  <bold>Effective Date.</bold></secline><sectionText lineno="112"><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1" groupid="1" style="1" owner="ahaskell" level="1" amendtag="both">This bill takes effect on <effdate uid="code" date="5/1/2026">May 1, 2026</effdate>.</amend></sectionText></section></bsec></bdy><foot><rev><tm>2-28-25 3:36 PM</tm></rev></foot></leg>