H.R. 651: Public Health Emergency Privacy Act

117th Congress · introduced 2021-02-01 · Health · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2021-02-01 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Public Health Emergency Privacy Act

Plain summary

Public Health Emergency Privacy Act This bill imposes privacy, confidentiality, and security requirements on the use and disclosure of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency health data. This is data that is linked to an individual or device, such as test results. The requirements apply to organizations that collect, use, or disclose emergency health data electronically or that manage websites or applications for contact tracing and other COVID-19 response activities. These organizations must provide notice of privacy and other policies. They must also ensure the accuracy of, prevent discrimination based on, and limit disclosure of the data. If an organization collects data from at least 100,000 individuals, it must publicly report additional information about how it uses and discloses the data. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the use of emergency health data for commercial advertising or in ways that restrict access to opportunities, services, and other accommodations. It also prohibits government entities and organizations from using this data to infringe on the right to vote. The Department of Health and Human Services must report on the civil rights impact of the collection, use, and disclosure of health data. The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission, states, and a private right of action. It further specifies that certain dispute resolution mechanisms, such as arbitration, are unenforceable with respect to disputes arising under the bill.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Public Health Emergency Privacy Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18] · 35 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Peter Welch (D-VT), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), André Carson (D-IN), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Darren Soto (D-FL), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Ed Case (D-HI), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Lori Trahan (D-MA)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Resolution: A formal statement or decision by a legislative body. Simple resolutions often only express an opinion or set rules for one chamber; they do not become law.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-117hr651.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/117/hr>

Record fed-us-cong117-hr651 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117