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S731 • 2026
Genetic Information
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Genetic Information
Introduced and read first time ( Senate Journal-page 34 )
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry ( Senate Journal-page 34 )
Prefiled
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
Genetic Information
2025-2026 Bill 731: Genetic Information - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly 126th Session, 2025-2026 Download This Bill in Microsoft Word Format Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter S. 731 STATUS INFORMATION General Bill Sponsors: Senator Kennedy Document Path: LC-0418SA26.docx Introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026 Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry Summary: Genetic Information HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS Date Body Action Description with journal page number 12/10/2025 Senate Prefiled 12/10/2025 Senate Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry 1/13/2026 Senate Introduced and read first time ( Senate Journal-page 34 ) 1/13/2026 Senate Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry ( Senate Journal-page 34 ) View the latest legislative information at the website VERSIONS OF THIS BILL 12/10/2025 A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 39-1-100 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A COMPANY OR INDIVIDUAL MAY NOT SELL AN INDIVIDUAL'S GENETIC MATERIAL, TO PROVIDE WRITTEN CONSENT MUST BE OBTAINED THROUGH AN INDEPENDENT DOCUMENT, AND TO PROVIDE FOR PRIVATE RIGHTS OF ACTION. B e it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: S ECTION 1. C hapter 1, Title 39 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding: S ection 39-1-100 . ( A) ( 1) A company or individual may not sell an individual's genetic material, regardless of how the genetic material was obtained, without prior written consent. ( 2) For the purposes of this section, "genetic material" means the hereditary substance that stores and transmits a person's genetic information, primarily in the form of DNA or, in some cases, RNA. ( B) Written consent may be obtained only through an independent document. That independent document may address only the selling or sharing of genetic information and must provide the ability to opt-out of specific levels of sharing the genetic information. The independent document may not be included in a larger document and must be conspicuous. ( C) A company has no legal rights to an individual's genetic information or material. Only the individual may own his genetic information. ( D) A person or entity may bring a private right of action: ( 1) based on a violation of this section or any regulations prescribed pursuant to this section to enjoin such violation; ( 2) to recover for actual monetary loss from such a violation, or to receive five hundred dollars in damages for each violation, whichever is greater; or ( 3) for both actions described in subitems (a) and (b). S ECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. ----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 13, 2026 at 1:09 PM