B 26-0427 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Cybersecurity and Accountability Act of 2025

This bill requires insurance licensees in the District of Columbia to meet specific data security standards to protect consumer information. It mandates that licensees investigate cybersecurity incidents, notify the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking Commissioner about such events, and implement security measures for nonpublic information stored on portable devices or transmitted externally. The law specifically protects sensitive data including Social Security numbers, health records, financial account details, and biometric information. Licensees must use multi-factor authentication and maintain security programs to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure of this information.
Bill status in committee 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Jul 2026
Council Passage
Jul 2026
Governor
Introduced Oct 8, 2025 Last action Jul 14, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Engrossment · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was updated from a 2025 version to an engrossed 2026 version, changing the short title to the 'Cybersecurity and Accountability Amendment Act of 2026'. The scope of the bill was expanded to include amending the Freedom of Information Act, and the definitions section was revised to clarify how 'nonpublic information' is determined, specifically adding a new criterion regarding health care data and updating the list of data elements used to identify consumers.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include amendments to the Freedom of Information Act of 1976, whereas the original version focused solely on cybersecurity standards for insurance licensees.
TIMELINE

The bill's effective year was updated from 2025 to 2026 in the short title and citation.

SCOPE

A new purpose was added to amend the Freedom of Information Act of 1976 to make a conforming change related to the bill's definitions.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'nonpublic information' was updated to explicitly include health care data (past, present, or future health conditions) and revised the list of data elements used to identify consumers, such as changing 'credit or debit card number' to 'bank account number'.

A new sub-clause was added to the definition of 'publicly available information' to include disclosures required by federal, state, or local law.

Floor votes · Council Jul 14, 2026

How they voted

12–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 13
Jul 14, 2026
D Democratic11
10 Yea 1
90% Yea
I Independent2
2 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Jul 14, 2026
Council · Passed
Council Vote: pass (12-0-1)
council
Jul 8, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Committee Mark-up of B26-0427 by the Health Committee
legislature
Mar 3, 2026
Committee
Re-Referred to Committee on Health
legislature
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
Re-Referral published.
legislature
Oct 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Business and Economic Development
legislature
Oct 8, 2025
Introduced
B26-0427 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Phil Mendelson
Phil Mendelson
DDemocratic
DC
Chairman