NHGRI logo

Genome Statute and Legislation Database

The Genome Statute and Legislation Database is comprised of state statutes and bills introduced during the 2002-2024 U.S. state legislative sessions.

Overview

The Genome Statute and Legislation Database is reviewed and updated monthly. Searchable topics in the database include employment and insurance discrimination, health insurance coverage, privacy, research, the use of residual newborn screening specimens and other topics of interest.

Definitions of terms such as "bill", "statute", and "regulation" are available through the Glossary of Statutory, Legislative, and Regulatory Terms.

For other helpful links and legislative databases, please see Additional Resources.

Search

State Primary Link Topic(s) Bill Status Summary Sort descending
Texas Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Creates the Healthy Texas Program. The board for the program must create policies that promote nondiscrimination with respect to members and providers with regard to genetic information. Died.

Montana Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Creates the Montana family and medical leave insurance fund. Applicants for coverage must provide eligibility documentation. The department may not require documentation that exceeds the right to privacy allowed under HIPAA, the ADA and GINA. Died.

Oklahoma Privacy Pending

Creates the Oklahoma Computer Data privacy Act, which applies to certain businesses that collect consumers' personal information, including biometric information. Provides guidelines for the use of personal information in research. Provides consumers the right to request disclosure of certain information; the right to request the deletion of their information; the right to request and receive a disclosure of personal information sold or disclosed; and the right to opt in and out of the sale of their personal information. Biometric information is defined to include DNA. 3/22/2021 Second Reading in Senate Judiciary. Carries over to 2022.

Mississippi Privacy Died

Creates the parental authority act. Parental rights include the he right to be notified in advance and to refuse or to consent in writing before any record of the minor child's blood or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is created, stored or shared, with some exceptions. 2/23/2016 (H) Died In Committee.

Oklahoma Privacy, Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Statute

Creates the Parents' Bill of Rights, including the right to consent in writing before any record of a minor childs blood or DNA is created, stored or shared, except as required by Sections 1-516 (pertaining to syphilis) and 1-524.1 (pertaining to testing arrested persons for sexually transmitted infections and HIV) of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or unless authorized pursuant to a court order.

Florida Privacy Enacted

Creates the Parents' Bill of Rights. Parental rights include the right to consent in writing before any record of his or her minor child's blood or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is created, stored, or shared, except as required by general law or authorized pursuant to a court order. 6/29/21 Approved by the Governor. Effective 7/1/2021.

Florida Privacy Died

Creates the Parents' Bill of Rights. Parental rights include the right to consent in writing before any record of his or her minor child's blood or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is created, stored, or shared, except as required by general law or authorized pursuant to a court order. 4/21/2021 Senate Laid on Table, companion bill passed, see HB 241 (Ch. 2021-199) SJ 547.

Florida Privacy Statute

Creates the Parents' Bill of Rights. Parental rights include the right to consent in writing before any record of his or her minor child's blood or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is created, stored, or shared, except as required by general law or authorized pursuant to a court order.

Mississippi Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Creates the small business health insurance pool. Health benefit plans covering small employers may not exclude genetic information as a preexisting condition in the absence of a diagnosis of the condition related to the genetic information. 1/31/2017 Died in Committee.

Mississippi Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Creates the small business health insurance pool. Health benefit plans covering small employers may not use genetic information to establish a pre-existing condition exclusion in the absence of a diagnosis of a condition related to the genetic information. 2/23/2016 (H) Died In Committee.

New Jersey Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Creates the State Anti-Harassment and Workplace Discrimination Act. Declares that it is an unlawful employment practice and unlawful discrimination, for any person, whether an employee or applicant for employment, or intern or volunteer, in any State agency or Gubernatorial Transition Office, or person doing business with the State to discriminate against or harass an employee or applicant for employment, or intern or volunteer, based upon certain protected categories, genetic information. Died.

New Jersey Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Creates the State Anti-Harassment and Workplace Discrimination Act. Declares that it is an unlawful employment practice and unlawful discrimination, for any person, whether an employee or applicant for employment, or intern or volunteer, in any State agency or Gubernatorial Transition Office, or person doing business with the State to discriminate against or harass an employee or applicant for employment, or intern or volunteer, based upon certain protected categories, genetic information. Died.

Wyoming Privacy Died

Creates the Student Personal Digital Information Protection Act. The Act establishes protections to safeguard the privacy of student data, including biometric information. It is unclear whether biometric information includes genetic information or a DNA sequence. The term is not defined. Failed 2/13/2017

Maryland Other Topics Died

Creates the task force on pharmacogenomics to examine questions related to pharmacogenomics, including how the State can adopt genomic testing as the standard of care for patients. Died.

New Mexico Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Creates the Workplace Harassment Prevention and Education Section of the Human Rights Bureau. The section is responsible for enforcing unlawful workplace harassment policies, including those that pertain to harassment based on genetic information. Died.

New Hampshire Privacy Died

Declares that an individual's genetic information and DNA sample are the property of the individual. Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 05/05/2016.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination, Other Topics Pending

Declares that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice for a hiring party to subject a model to harassment based on various characteristics, including predisposing genetic characteristics. Carries over to 2022.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination, Other Topics Pending

Declares that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice for a hiring party to subject a model to harassment based on various characteristics, including predisposing genetic characteristics. Carries over to 2022.

New Jersey Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Declares that it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer based on certain factors to require an employee who is the parent or legal guardian of a school aged child to be physically present for work, when that work can be performed remotely, during the public health emergency and state of emergency declared by the Governor. Specified factors include genetic information or the refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available the results of a genetic test. Died.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination Enacted

Declares that it is the policy of the state and all its political subdivisions to ensure a fair, non-biased compensation structure for all employees. Status within one or more protected class or classes may not be considered directly or indirectly in determining proper compensation or pay for any individual or group of employees, and no employee with status within one or more protected class to classes may be paid a wage at a rate less than the rate at which an employee without status within the protected class or classes in same establishment is paid for similar work. Protected class includes predisposing genetic characteristic. Signed by the Governor 12/26/2019.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination Enacted

Declares that it is the policy of the state and all its political subdivisions to ensure a fair, non-biased compensation structure for all employees. Status within one or more protected class or classes may not be considered directly or indirectly in determining proper compensation or pay for any individual or group of employees, and no employee with status within one or more protected class to classes may be paid a wage at a rate less than the rate at which an employee without status within the protected class or classes in same establishment is paid for similar work. Protected class includes predisposing genetic characteristic. 4/3/2020 Signed by the Governor.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination Enacted

Declares that it is the policy of the state and all its political subdivisions to ensure a fair, non-biased compensation structure for all employees. Status within one or more protected class or classes may not be considered directly or indirectly in determining proper compensation or pay for any individual or group of employees, and no employee with status within one or more protected class to classes may be paid a wage at a rate less than the rate at which an employee without status within the protected class or classes in same establishment is paid for similar work. Protected class includes predisposing genetic characteristic. 4/3/2020 Signed by the Governor.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination Statute

Declares that it is the policy of the state and all its political subdivisions to ensure a fair, non-biased compensation structure for all employees. Status within one or more protected class or classes may not be considered directly or indirectly in determining proper compensation or pay for any individual or group of employees, and no employee with status within one or more protected class to classes may be paid a wage at a rate less than the rate at which an employee without status within the protected class or classes in same establishment is paid for similar work.

Maryland Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Topics Died

Declares that it is the policy of the state to provide affordable health care to all regardless of various factors, including genetic information. Prohibits discrimination based on genetic information by a hospital; a person licensed or otherwise regulated by the Maryland Department of Health; and a person, including a health maintenance organization, that provides health benefits and has a certificate of authority from issued by the Maryland Department of Insurance. Died.

North Carolina Employment Nondiscrimination, Other Topics Died

Declares that it is the public policy of the State to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all individuals to (1) enjoy fully and equally the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of places of public accommodations free of discrimination; and 2) seek, obtain and hold employment without discrimination or abridgement on account of certain characteristics, including genetic information. Prohibits discrimination in housing practices based on genetic information. Died.

North Carolina Employment Nondiscrimination, Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Topics, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Declares that it is the public policy of the State to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all individuals to (1) enjoy fully and equally the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of places of public accommodations free of discrimination; and 2) seek, obtain and hold employment without discrimination or abridgement on account of certain characteristics, including genetic information. Also prohibits insurers from refusing to insure or refusing to continue to insure an individual, limit the amount, extent, or kind of coverage available to an individual, or charge an individual a different rate for the same coverage, based on genetic information. School boards also must adopt a policy to establish that the local board of education and school personnel employed by the local board may not discriminate based on genetic information. Charter and nonpublic schools may not discriminate based on genetic information. Died.

Minnesota Lab Developed Tests Pending

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies required to provide disclosure notices and obtain consent.

Minnesota Genetic data storage/privacy/sharing (industry), Lab Developed Tests Introduced

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies requirement to provide disclosure notices and obtain consent.

New York Privacy Enacted

Directs the commissioner of education to conduct a study on the use of biometric identifying technology; prohibits the use of biometric identifying technology in schools until July 1, 2022, or until the commissioner authorizes such purchase or utilization. Biometric information is defined to include a DNA sequence. 12/22/2020 Signed by the Governor. Effective immediately.

New York Privacy Enacted

Directs the commissioner of education to conduct a study on the use of biometric identifying technology; prohibits the use of biometric identifying technology in schools until July 1, 2022, or until the commissioner authorizes such purchase or utilization. Biometric information is defined to include a DNA sequence. 12/22/2020 Signed by the Governor. Effective immediately.

New York Privacy Enacted

Directs the director of the office of information technology services to conduct a study on the use of biometric identifying technology. Prohibits the use of biometric identifying technology in schools until July 1, 2022 or until the commissioner of education authorizes such purchase or utilization, whichever occurs later. Biometric identifier is defined to include a DNA sequence. 1/28/2021 Signed by the Governor. Effective immediately.

New York Privacy Enacted

Directs the director of the office of information technology services to conduct a study on the use of biometric identifying technology. Prohibits the use of biometric identifying technology in schools until July 1, 2022 or until the commissioner of education authorizes such purchase or utilization, whichever occurs later. Biometric identifier is defined to include a DNA sequence. 1/25/2021 Substituted by A954. 1/28/2021 Signed by the Governor. Effective immediately.

New York Privacy Statute

Directs the director of the office of information technology services to conduct a study on the use of biometric identifying technology. Prohibits the use of biometric identifying technology in schools until July 1, 2022 or until the commissioner of education authorizes such purchase or utilization, whichever occurs later. Biometric identifier is defined to include a DNA sequence.

California Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Statute

Disability insurers covering hospital, medical and surgical expenses may not fail or refuse to accept an application, fail or refuse to issue insurance, cancel or refuse to renew insurance, charge a higher rate or premium, offer or provide different terms, conditions or benefits, or place a limitation on coverage based on genetic characteristics that may be associated with disability in a person of that persons offspring. These insurers also may not seek information about a persons genetic characteristics for non-therapeutic purposes. Specific penalties are set forth for violations. Life and disability insurers may not discriminate based solely on the fact that the person to be insured carries a gene that may be associated with disability in that person or the persons offspring, but which causes no adverse effects in the carrier, including but not limited to Tay-Sachs trait, sickle cell trait, thalassemia trait, and X-linked hemophilia trait.

Delaware Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Statute

Discrimination is prohibited in the issuance, denial or renewal of or in the fixing of the rates, terms or conditions for health insurance, excluding disability or long-term care insurance. The law provides for a cause of action in the nature of defamation, invasion of privacy or negligence with some exceptions.

Minnesota Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Enacted

During the period in which residual newborn screening specimens is retained, the health department may use blood samples and test results for newborn screening program operations. Newborn screening operations are defined to specifically exclude research, public health studies, or the development of new newborn screening tests. Signed by the Governor on May 10, 2012.

Minnesota Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Statute

During the period in which residual newborn screening specimens is retained, the health department may use blood samples and test results for newborn screening program operations. Newborn screening operations are defined to specifically exclude research, public health studies, or the development of new newborn screening tests.

Montana Health Insurance Coverage Died

Each group or individual medical expense, cancer, and blanket disability policy, certificate of insurance, and membership contract must provide minimum mammography examination coverage. The definition of minimum mammography examination is amended to include: a) a mammogram each year for a woman who is under 35 years of age if: (i) the woman has two or more first-degree family members diagnosed with breast cancer or ovarian cancer; (ii) genetic tests indicate the woman is at higher risk for breast cancer; or (iii) the woman's physician recommends the test. Died in Standing Committee on April 24, 2013.

Arizona Employment Nondiscrimination Statute

Employers may not discriminate against an individual based on genetic test results, notwithstanding professionally developed ability tests that are not designed to discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Hawaii Employment Nondiscrimination Statute

Employers may not discriminate against any individual because of being regarded as having an impairment, which includes employer consideration of (1) an individual's genetic information, (2) genetic information of any family member of an individual, or (3) the individual's refusal to submit to a genetic test as a condition of initial or continued employment. The statutes also contain provisions pertaining to employment agencies and labor organizations.

Arkansas Employment Nondiscrimination Statute

Employers may not seek to obtain, use or require a genetic test or genetic information to distinguish between or discriminate against persons applicants or employees. Criminal and civil penalties are set forth for violations.

Minnesota Employment Nondiscrimination Statute

Employers or employment agencies may not administer a genetic test or request, require, or collect protected genetic information as a condition of employment or affect the terms or conditions of employment or terminate the employment of any person based on protected genetic information. A person may not provide or interpret genetic information on a current or prospective employee for an employer or employment agency. An aggrieved person may bring a civil action.

Vermont Employment Nondiscrimination Statute

Employers or labor organizations may not use information about genetic testing, genetic counseling, or genetic disease for purposes specified. Civil and criminal penalties are set forth for violations.

District of Columbia Employment Nondiscrimination, Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Statute

Employers, employment agencies and labor organizations may not discriminate based on genetic information with some exceptions such as to investigate a workers' compensation claim. A health benefit plan or health insurer may not establish rules for the eligibility or adjust premium or contribution amounts for an individual on the basis of genetic information concerning the individual or his/her family member, including information about a request for or receipt of genetic services by an individual or the individual's family member. Health insurers also may not require or request a genetic test.

Delaware Employment Nondiscrimination Statute

Employers, employment agencies, labor organization or joint labor-management committee controlling apprenticeships or other training may not discriminate based on genetic information. These entities may admit or employ any individual on the basis of genetic information in those certain instances where genetic information is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of that particular business or enterprise. Enforcement provisions, processes for civil action by the Attorney General or charging party, judicial remedies and civil penalties are established.

Kansas Genetic Data & Law Enforcement, Parentage law Introduced

Enacting the Kansas uniform parentage act (2017).

North Dakota Privacy Died

Enacts a new chapter of the statutes relating to genetic privacy. A person may not collect a DNA sample from an individual, perform a DNA analysis on a sample, retain a DNA sample or the results of a DNA analysis, or disclose the results of a DNA analysis unless the person has first obtained the informed and written consent of the individual or of the individual's legal guardian or authorized representative, for the collection, analysis, retention, or disclosure. A DNA sample and the results of a DNA analysis performed on the sample are the exclusive property of the individual sampled or analyzed. The bill provides certain exemptions. Died.

Washington Privacy Died

Enacts measures to safeguard the privacy, confidentiality, security, and integrity of a consumer's genetic data resulting from direct-to-consumer genetic testing. Died.

Mississippi Privacy Died

Enacts the Consumer privacy Act. Provides certain rights to consumers such as the right to know the categories and specific pieces of personal information collected and the right to require a business to delete personal information. Personal information is defined to include biometric information such as DNA sequences. 02/05 (H) Died In Committee

Rhode Island Privacy Died

Enacts the Consumer Protection privacy Act. Establishes consumer protections pertaining to the collection and use of personal information, including an individual's DNA, by businesses. Died.

Displaying 251 - 300 of 1160

Additional Resources

Cornell Legal Information Institute
This website allows users to search for Federal and state laws and regulations. NHGRI’s Genome Statute and Legislation Database does not include regulations.

LawSeqSM Database
Developed at the University of Minnesota and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, this database allows users to search federal and state statutes, regulations, and reported judicial decisions. The database allows searches by jurisdiction (federal, state, and individuals states), source type, topic, and open text. This resource was developed by a project funded by NHGRI and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on “LawSeqSM: Building a Sound Legal Foundation for Translating Genomics into Clinical Application” (grant #: R01HG008605; Susan M. Wolf,. Ellen Wright Clayton, and Frances Lawrenz, principal investigators). The team keeps this database up to date.

National Society of Genetic Counselors
To find information about state genetic counselor licensing laws, visit the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ website. NHGRI’s Genome Statute and Legislation Database does not include state laws related to genetic counseling. 

Last updated: February 8, 2024