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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 Sort descending Summary
New Hampshire Genetic data storage/privacy/sharing (medicine) Approved

Relative to conditions for genetic testing.

Texas Genetic data storage/privacy/sharing (industry) Approved

Relating to an individual's genetic data, including the use of that data by certain genetic testing companies for commercial purposes and the individual's property right in DNA; authorizing a civil p...

Pennsylvania Coverage and reimbursement Approved

An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in casualty insurance, further providing for coverage for mammographic examinations and diagnost...

Montana Neonatal sequencing Approved

Revise laws related to collection of genetic material for newborn screenings.

California Other Topics Died

Establishes the Commission on the State of Hate. Requires the commission to advise the Legislature, the Governor, and state agencies on, among other things, policy recommendations to promote intersocial education designed to foster mutual respect and understanding among California�s diverse population. Appointees to the commission are comprised of experts in combating hate, intolerance, and discrimination on the basis of various factors such as genetic information. Died.

Wisconsin Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Allows the Department of Workforce Development or an individual who is alleged or was found to have been discriminated against or subjected to unfair honesty or genetic testing to bring an action in circuit court in addition to or in lieu of filing an administrative complaint, with some exceptions. 4/1/2020 Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.

Hawaii Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

The board of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund must require every health benefits plan established or contracted to include lower deductibles and co-payments for non-smokers of tobacco and other persons engaged in low risk health behaviors that are designed, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, to encourage preventative health care, promote wellness, and discourage medically unnecessary use of health care services; provided that the board consults with medical professionals to determine what should be included as low risk health behaviors. Genetic factors and pre-existing medical conditions may not be considered as a behavior when determining what constitutes low risk behavior. Died.

Maine Privacy Died

The department of education, a school administrative unit or a state agency may not collect, store, transmit or process the certain information, including DNA, from a student without the written consent of a parent or guardian of a student or an eligible student unless otherwise required or authorized by statute or rule. Died.

Michigan Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Requires employers of 50 or more individuals to post a notice that wage discrimination based on genetic information is prohibited under federal law. Died.

Missouri Privacy Died

Prohibits a person or entity from disclosing, obtaining, retaining, or using any biometric data about an individual, including DNA, with whom the person or entity is engaged in trade or commerce for any purpose other than that which the individual reasonably expects. Died.

New Mexico Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits pre-existing condition exclusions in qualified health plans in the New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange Act. Genetic information is not included as a preexisting condition for the purposes of limiting or excluding benefits in the absence of a diagnosis of the condition related to the genetic information. (Provision related to genetic information is in Committee Substitute version) Died.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits discrimination or harassment based predisposing genetic characteristics of non-employees in the workplace. Died.

South Dakota Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill repeals the authority of the director of the Division of Insurance to promulgate rules governing use of genetic information and enacts certain provisions regarding the use of genetic information. Measure failed.

Alabama Privacy Died

Prohibits state agencies, local education agencies, or local education institutions from administering any student survey, assessment, analysis, evaluation, or similar instrument that solicits certain information about the student or the family of the student, including biometric records. Biometric records are defined to include a DNA sequence. Died.

Washington Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Making state law consistent with selected federal consumer protections in the patient protection and affordable care act. Prohibits a health carrier or health plan from establishing rules for eligibility based on health-status related factors such as genetic information. Died.

Delaware Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits discrimination based upon genetic characteristics and information in the issuance or renewal of disability and long term care insurance. Insurers also must provide notice if a genetic test is required. Died.

Illinois Privacy Died

Amends the Genetic Information privacy Act. Requires informed consent for a person or business to disclose an individual's genetic information to third parties specifically for marketing, advertising, or sales purposes. Died.

Maryland Other Topics Died

Removes the ban on directly or indirectly advertising for or soliciting business for any medical laboratory, regardless of location, from anyone except a physician, hospital, medical laboratory, clinic, clinical installation, or other medical care facility. Died.

Massachusetts Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires coverage for the diagnosis of Alfi's Syndrome, including genetic testing. 7/18/2018 Accompanied a study order, see H4778.

Mississippi Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill creates the genetic nondiscrimination in health insurance act. No health benefit plan may cancel, deny or refuse to renew benefits or coverage based on genetic information. This bill also places restrictions on health benefit plan's ability to request or require disclosure of genetic information. Measure failed.

New Hampshire Privacy Died

Grants consumers the right to request that a business disclose the type of personal information it collects, the purpose for which it is collected, and the categories of third parties with which it is shared. Authorizes consumers to opt out of the sale of their personal information. Personal information is defined to include biometric information such as an individual's DNA. 10/29/2020 Interim Study Report: Recommended for Future Legislation (Vote 10-5). Died.

New York Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Died

This bill requires written parental consent to store a newborn's test, blood spot or other genetic information for any purpose other than newborn screening. Died.

North Carolina Other Topics Died

Prohibits unlawful discriminatory practice based on protected status, including genetic information. Died.

Utah Privacy Died

Requires a government agency to make an annual report to the state auditor regarding: the government agency's collection, use, and disclosure of personal identifying information; any misuse or improper disclosure of personal identifying information; and measures taken to notify individuals of any misuse or improper disclosure. Personal identifying information includes DNA. 3/5/2021 House filed.

Massachusetts Other Topics Died

Pertains to municipal master plans. Master plans developed should take into account to the extent feasible ways in which future policies and programs can advance equity based on various factors such as genetic information. Died.

Mississippi Privacy Died

Allows parents to opt out of certain activities conducted by the public school districts, including the collection of biometric information. Biometric information is defined to include DNA. 2/23/2016 (S) Died In Committee.

New Jersey Privacy Died

This bill sets forth privacy protections for personally identifiable information collected by businesses. Personally identifiable information includes biometric data such as DNA. Died.

New York Health Insurance Coverage Died

The bill requires accident and health insurance policies to cover the cost of genetic testing for people with a family history of cancer when the attending physician determines the person has a significant risk of cancer. Died.

Oklahoma Privacy Died

This bill prohibits collection or retention of biometric data in connection with motor vehicle registration or operation, the issuance or renewal of driver licenses or the issuance or renewal of any identification cards by any department or agency of this state charged with those activities. Died.

Virginia Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill prohibits the establishment of rules for eligibility or continued eligibility based on a health status-related factor, including genetic information, in Virginia share health insurance policies. This bill also prohibits pre-existing condition exclusions in these policies based on genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis of a condition related to such information. Measure failed.

Colorado Privacy Died

This bill requires a state agency or educational institution to obtain consent from parents or eligible students prior to collecting certain data, including biometric records. Biometric records are defined to include DNA. Died.

Hawaii Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires individual policies of accident and health or sickness insurance to provide coverage for genetic counseling and testing related to the BRCAl or BRCA2 genetic mutation, if indicated. Died.

Maryland Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill prohibits an insurer from requesting or requiring a genetic test or from using a genetic test, the results of a genetic test, genetic information, or a request for genetic services to deny or limit life insurance coverage or benefits or to charge a different rate for the same coverage or benefits under an annuity contract; defining terms; and providing for an exception if the use is based on sound actuarial principles. Measure failed.

Maryland Privacy Died

Requires certain private entities in possession of biometric identifiers or biometric information to develop a written policy, made available to the public, establishing a certain retention schedule and guidelines for permanently destroying biometric identifiers and biometric information. Biometric identifier is defined to includes a genetic print. The bill defines confidential and sensitive to include a genetic marker and genetic testing information. In the House - Withdrawn by Sponsor. Died.

Minnesota Privacy Died

This bill amends the definition of genetic test in the statutes regarding government data practices. Measure failed.

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.

New York Research Died

This bill regulates the use of human subjects for medical research and experimentation, including subjects with mental disorders and children. Measure failed.

New York Research Died

Authorizes human research in compliance with federal law. Substituted by S6488. Senate substitute signed by the Governor on 9/13/19.

Tennessee Privacy Died

Allows the recipient of an organ transplant and referral hospital to examine all genetic records of the donor or prospective donor unless prohibited by any other law. Died.

Arizona Privacy Died

Allows the release of genetic testing and information derived from genetic testing to the following, if the necessary requirements are met: an individual or entity that provides services to a health care provider or clinical laboratory, a statewide health information exchange, the health insurance carrier of the person tested, a nationally recognized accreditation organization, a health professional licensing board in the state, and an entity that is responsible for the payment of a health care provider charges. Died.

West Virginia Privacy Died

Creates a Longitudinal Data System, which links child care, student and workforce unit record data, and governing board of the system. The governing board must prohibit the collection of confidential information, which includes genetic information. Died.

Florida Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits life insurers and long-term care insurers from canceling, limiting, or denying coverage, or establishing differentials in premium rates, based on genetic information, if there is no diagnosis of a condition related to the genetic information. The bill also prohibits these insurers from requiring or soliciting genetic information, using genetic test results, or considering a person�s decisions or actions relating to genetic testing for any insurance purpose. 3/10/2018 Died in Rules.

Kansas Privacy Died

The state board, the department of education, a unified school district or local education agency may not provide any personally identifiable information of any student or teacher, including a DNA sequence, to any federal agency, any Kansas state or local agency, state or local agency outside the state of Kansas, or any other organization or entity unless under specified circumstances. Died.

Maryland Privacy Died

Amends the definition of personal information used in the state data privacy act. Personally identifiable information is defined to include an individual's DNA. Died.

Massachusetts Privacy Died

Prohibits an agency, executive office, department, board, commission, bureau, division or authority of the commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof, or any agent, contractor or subcontractor thereof, from acquiring, possessing, accessing or using any biometric surveillance system or any information derived from a biometric surveillance system operated by another entity. Allows certain exceptions such as the use of facial recognition technology by the registrar or motor vehicles. Biometric data is defined to include deoxyribonucleic acid. 7/14/20 Passed to be engrossed. Reprinted as amended, see S2820. Died.

Missouri Privacy Died

This bill requires a state agency or education institution to obtain written consent from parents or eligible students before collecting any certain data points, including a biometric record (defined to include DNA). Died.

New Jersey Other Topics Died

Prohibits discrimination in health programs or activities based on certain factors, including genetic information. Died.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits clients and modeling agencies from subjecting a model to harassment based on various characteristics, including predisposing genetic characteristics, where such harassment has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's provision of modeling services by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Died.

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.

Virginia Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Requires the legislative branch of the Commonwealth to develop a policy on workplace harassment. Workplace harassment is defined as any unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct that either denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward a person on the basis of various factors, including genetics. Died.

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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