On May 18, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking (the “proposed rule”) to “strengthen and modernize” the Health Breach Notification Rule (“HBNR”). The proposed rule builds on the FTC’s September 2021 “Statement of the Commission on Breaches by Health Apps and Other Connected Devices” (“Policy Statement”), which took a broad approach to when health apps and connected devices are covered by the HBNR and when there is a “breach” for purposes of the HBNR. The proposed rule primarily would (i) amend many definitions that are central to the scope of the HBNR (e.g., “breach of security,” “health care provider,” and “personal health record”), and (ii) authorize expanded means for providing notice to consumers of a breach and require additional notice content. According to the FTC, these changes to the HBNR would ensure the HBNR “remains relevant in the face of changing business practices and technological developments.” Below, we provide a brief summary of the history of the HBNR leading up to this proposed rule, a brief summary of the proposed rule, and a timeline for commenting.
Texas Passes Data Privacy and Security Act
On May 28, 2023, the Texas legislature passed the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, making it the sixth state to pass a comprehensive data privacy law this year. The Act shares many similarities with Virginia, although there are some distinctions. If signed into law, the Act would take effect on July 1, 2024.
HHS Issues Notice of Expiration of COVID-19 HIPAA Enforcement Discretion
On April 11, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) announced that four Notifications of Enforcement Discretion (“Notifications”) that were issued under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, and its implementing regulations (collectively, “HIPAA”) during the COVID-19 pandemic will expire on May 11, 2023. In response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, OCR announced it would exercise enforcement discretion with respect to noncompliance with certain provisions of HIPAA. Now that the public health emergency is set to expire, OCR is rescinding the relevant Notifications. Below, we summarize the four Notifications that are set to expire:
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U.S. AI, IoT, CAV, and Privacy & Cybersecurity Legislative & Regulatory Update – First Quarter 2023
This quarterly update summarizes key legislative and regulatory developments in the first quarter of 2023 related to Artificial Intelligence (“AI”), the Internet of Things (“IoT”), connected and autonomous vehicles (“CAVs”), and data privacy and cybersecurity.
Colorado AG Files Final Rules Implementing CPA
On March 15, 2023, the Colorado Attorney General filed final rules implementing the Colorado Privacy Act (“CPA”) with the Secretary of State. The Attorney General first released proposed draft rules on October 10, 2022 and subsequently released revised draft rules on December 21, 2022 and January 27, 2023 after public comment. The final rules will
Iowa Passes Comprehensive Privacy Statute
On March 15th, the Iowa legislature passed S.F. 262 (the “ICDPA”), making it the sixth U.S. state to pass a comprehensive state privacy statute. The Iowa statute most closely resembles the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (“UCPA”), though it also shares some similarities with the approaches adopted in Virginia, Colorado, and Connecticut. The statute will next go to the governor’s desk for signature. If signed into law, the ICDPA would take effect on January 1, 2025.
Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing on Children’s Online Safety
On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing titled “Protecting Our Children Online.” The witnesses included only consumer advocates, and no industry representatives. As Committee Chair, however, Senator Durbin (D-IL) indicated that he plans to hold another hearing featuring representatives from technology companies.
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CPPA Approves First Round of Draft Rules
At the CPPA board meeting last week, the agency adopted the regulations and directed the staff to file the rulemaking package with the Office of Administrative Law (“OAL”). Before these regulations can become effective (and therefore enforceable), the OAL must complete its review of the regulations. It has 30 working days to complete its review
NIST Releases New Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework
On January 26, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released its Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (the “Framework”) guidance document, alongside a companion AI RMF Playbook that suggests ways to navigate and use the Framework.
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U.S. AI, IoT, CAV, and Privacy Legislative Update – Fourth Quarter 2022
This quarterly update summarizes key legislative and regulatory developments in the fourth quarter of 2022 related to Artificial Intelligence (“AI”), the Internet of Things (“IoT”), connected and autonomous vehicles (“CAVs”), and data privacy and cybersecurity.
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