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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>71838</law_id><section_number>59.1-596</section_number><catch_line>Express consent required; revocation of express consent</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>59.1-595</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="56">Genetic Data Privacy</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> <span class="dictionary">Express consent</span> required pursuant to this chapter requires a statement of the nature of the data collection, use, maintenance, or disclosure for which <span class="dictionary">express consent</span> is sought in plain and prominent language that an ordinary <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> would notice and understand and an <span class="dictionary">affirmative authorization</span> by the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> granting permission in response to such statement. <span class="dictionary">Express consent</span> shall not be inferred from inaction. <a id="paragraph-258833" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-596/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Every <span class="dictionary">direct-to-<span class="dictionary">consumer</span> genetic testing company</span> shall obtain a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">express consent</span> for the collection, use, and disclosure of the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">genetic data</span>, including, at a minimum, separate and <span class="dictionary">express consent</span> for each of the following: <a id="paragraph-258834" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-596/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The use of <span class="dictionary">genetic data</span> collected through the genetic testing product or service offered to the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>. <span class="dictionary">Express consent</span> for such use of <span class="dictionary">genetic data</span> shall include a statement describing who will receive access to the <span class="dictionary">genetic data</span>, how such <span class="dictionary">genetic data</span> will be shared, and the purposes for which such data shall be collected, used, and disclosed; <a id="paragraph-258835" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-596/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The storage of a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">biological sample</span> after the initial testing required by the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> has been completed; <a id="paragraph-258836" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-596/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Each use of <span class="dictionary">genetic data</span> or the <span class="dictionary">biological sample</span> beyond the primary purpose of the genetic testing or service and inherent contextual uses; <a id="paragraph-258837" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-596/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Each transfer or disclosure of the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">genetic data</span> or <span class="dictionary">biological sample</span> to a third <span class="dictionary">party</span> other than a <span class="dictionary">service provider</span>, including the name of the third <span class="dictionary">party</span> to which the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">genetic data</span> or <span class="dictionary">biological sample</span> will be transferred or disclosed; and <a id="paragraph-258838" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-596/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Any marketing or facilitation of marketing to a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> based on the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">genetic data</span> or marketing or facilitation of marketing by a third <span class="dictionary">party</span> based on the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s having ordered, purchased, received, or used a genetic testing product or service, except that a <span class="dictionary">direct-to-<span class="dictionary">consumer</span> genetic testing company</span> shall not be required to obtain a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">express consent</span> to marketing to the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> on the company&#x2019;s own website or mobile application based on the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> having ordered, purchased, received, or used a genetic testing product or service from that company if (i) the advertisement does not depend on any information specific to that <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> other than information regarding the product or service that the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> ordered, purchased, received, or used; (ii) the placement of the advertisement does not result in disparate exposure to advertising content on the basis of the sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, <span class="dictionary">genetic data</span>, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, primary language, or immigration status of the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>; and (iii) the advertisement of a third-<span class="dictionary">party</span> product or service is clearly labeled as advertising content, is accompanied by the name of the third <span class="dictionary">party</span> that has contributed to the placement of the advertisement, and, if applicable, indicates that the advertised product or service and claims regarding the product or service have not been vetted or endorsed by the <span class="dictionary">direct-to-<span class="dictionary">consumer</span> genetic testing company</span>. <a id="paragraph-258839" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-596/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Every <span class="dictionary">direct-to-<span class="dictionary">consumer</span> genetic testing company</span> shall provide a mechanism by which a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> may revoke the <span class="dictionary">express consent</span> required pursuant to subsection B, which shall include an option for <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> of <span class="dictionary">express consent</span> through the primary medium through which the company communicates with <span class="dictionary">consumers</span>. <a id="paragraph-258840" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-596/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Upon <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> of the <span class="dictionary">express consent</span> required pursuant to subsection B by a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>, a <span class="dictionary">direct-to-<span class="dictionary">consumer</span> genetic testing company</span> shall (i) honor such <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> of <span class="dictionary">express consent</span> as soon as is practicable but in all cases within 30 days of receipt of such <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> and (ii) destroy the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">biological sample</span> within 30 days of receipt of <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> of the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">express consent</span> to store such sample. <a id="paragraph-258841" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-596/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2023, c. 526.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
