House resolution urging that all State agencies, departments, and offices protect the civil rights, medical confidentiality, and all aspects of personal privacy of Vermonters who have been diagnosed with autism in light of the Secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services’ recently announced plans to establish an autism research database and other databases related to autism

This Vermont House resolution (HR 9) urges all state agencies to protect the privacy and medical confidentiality of Vermonters diagnosed with autism, specifically in response to federal plans for an autism research database. It directly affects autistic Vermonters by seeking to prevent their personal health data - like medical records, insurance claims, and wearable device information - from being collected or shared without informed consent. The resolution emphasizes that autism is a neurological difference, not a disease, and highlights concerns about federal data collection practices that lack explicit privacy safeguards. As a non-binding resolution, it directs state officials to uphold privacy rights and has been formally adopted by the House.