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Georgia and Washington: health record laws compared
Georgia and Washington, side by side on the seven questions, with the laws read October 3, 2026. They give different answers on health data outside HIPAA, getting a copy and health information exchange, and the same answer on everything else we could compare. We can't compare genetic records (not checked in Georgia), right to sue (not checked in Georgia) and breach notice (not checked in Georgia).
The seven questions, side by side
"Differs" marks a question where the answers are not the same; "same" marks one where they are. "Can't compare" means at least one answer was not checked; a not-checked answer is not a no. Where a question has a map, the small square shows the color each column has on it. Each citation opens that state's page, with the law quoted, dated and linked. There is no total and no rank: the questions are on different scales, and some have no best answer.
| Question | Georgia | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Health data outside HIPAADo apps and wearables need your OK before sharing health data?differs | No law foundWe searched the official code and found none.How we searched | Opt-in, written OK to sellYes. A consumer health data law requires your OK before a business collects or shares health data, and your signed permission before it sells it.RCW 19.373.030; RCW 19.373.070 |
| Getting a copyDo you get a copy faster or free in some cases?differs | Free copy in some casesIn one way: a free copy in at least one case.O.C.G.A. 31-33-3(a); O.C.G.A. 31-33-3 | Faster, and free in some casesYes, both. A deadline shorter than 30 days, and a free copy in at least one case.RCW 70.02.080; RCW 70.02.030(2)(b) |
| Health information exchangeCan you say no to sharing through a health information exchange (a network that passes records between doctors)?differs | Opt-outOpt-out. Your records go through the exchange unless you say no, and there is a published way to say no.Georgia Health Information Network, Inc., Policies and Procedures, Policy GaHIN-2002; Georgia Health Information Network, Inc., Policies and Procedures, Policy GaHIN-2005 | No general choiceNo general choice. Sharing through the exchange follows HIPAA's rules, and no state rule or exchange policy offers a general choice.OneHealthPort HIE Participation Agreement, Version 1, effective 2026-07-01; RCW 41.05.039 |
| Are some sensitive records, like mental health or HIV, given extra rules? These answers record whether a rule exists and what it says. They say nothing about whether any care is legal or available. | ||
| Reproductive health recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.O.C.G.A. 16-12-141(f), as amended by Ga. L. 2019, p. 711, HB 481 | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.RCW 7.115.020(3) |
| Mental health recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.O.C.G.A. 37-3-166(a), as revised by HB 89 (2025), Act 43 | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.Another law is signed and takes effect June 30, 2027.RCW 70.02.230; RCW 70.02.230 (as amended by Laws of 2025 ch. 58 sec. 5129) |
| HIV recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.O.C.G.A. 24-12-21(c), as amended by Ga. L. 2016, p. 735, HB 1058 | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.RCW 70.02.220; RCW 70.24.017(12) |
| Genetic recordscan't compare | Can't compare: not checked GA page | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.RCW 26.26A.355 |
| Right to sueCan you sue if your records are misused?can't compare | Can't compare: not checked GA page | Yes, in generalYes. You can sue over unlawful collection, use or sharing of medical records or health data in general.RCW 70.02.170; RCW 19.373.090 |
| Breach noticeMust you be told if health data leaks in a breach?can't compare | Can't compare: not checked GA page | Medical and insurance dataYes. The breach notice law covers both medical information and health insurance information.RCW 19.255.005(2)(a)(i)(G); RCW 19.255.005(2)(a)(i)(H) |
| AI in careAre there rules for AI used in your care?same | 1 of 3 rulesOne of the three rules is in force. A licensed clinician decides, not AI alone.Other laws are signed and take effect January 1, 2027 and July 1, 2027.O.C.G.A. 33-46-7.1(c), enacted by SB 444 (2026); O.C.G.A. 39-5-6(h), enacted by SB 540 (2026) | 1 of 3 rulesOne of the three rules is in force. A licensed clinician decides, not AI alone.Another law is signed and takes effect January 1, 2027.RCW 48.43.830(3) (Laws of 2026 ch. 157 sec. 2); RCW 48.43.830 (Laws of 2026 ch. 157 sec. 3) |
Not legal advice. This records what each law said on the date we read it. Laws and court orders change. State laws add to the federal floor. The United States score in the world index rates only federal law and national systems, so these state profiles do not change it.
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Health Record Rights Index by SuperTruth. Research tool, not legal advice. Our own words are CC BY 4.0; quoted law and source titles stay with their owners.