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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 Summary Sort descending
Utah Privacy Enacted

Enacts the Genetic Information privacy Act. Requires a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company to:
(1) provide a consumer clear information regarding the company's collection, use, and disclosure of genetic data;
(2) provide a consumer a publicly available privacy notice; (3) obtain a consumer's consent for certain collection, use, or disclosure of the consumer's genetic data; (4) protect a consumer's genetic data; (5) allow a consumer to access and delete the consumer's genetic data; and (6) upon request, destroy a consumer's biological sample. Prohibits a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company from disclosing a consumer's genetic data to certain persons. 3/17/2021 Signed by the Governor. Effective 5/5/2021.

Utah Privacy Statute

Enacts the Genetic Information privacy Act. Requires a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company to:
(1) provide a consumer clear information regarding the company's collection, use, and disclosure of genetic data;
(2) provide a consumer a publicly available privacy notice; (3) obtain a consumer's consent for certain collection, use, or disclosure of the consumer's genetic data; (4) protect a consumer's genetic data; (5) allow a consumer to access and delete the consumer's genetic data; and (6) upon request, destroy a consumer's biological sample. Prohibits a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company from disclosing a consumer's genetic data to certain persons.

New York Privacy Pending

Enacts the NY privacy act to require companies to disclose their methods of de-identifying personal information such as biometric information, to place special safeguards around data sharing and to allow consumers to obtain the names of all entities with whom their information is shared. Biometric information is defined to include DNA. Carries over to 2022.

New York Privacy Pending

Enacts the NY privacy act to require companies to disclose their methods of de-identifying personal information such as biometric information, to place special safeguards around data sharing and to allow consumers to obtain the names of all entities with whom their information is shared. Biometric information is defined to include DNA. Carries over to 2022.

Maryland Privacy Died

Enacts the Online Consumer Protection Act. Defines biometric information to include an individual's DNA. Died.

Maryland Privacy Died

Enacts the Online Consumer Protection Act. Defines biometric information to include an individual's DNA. Died.

South Carolina Privacy Pending

Enacts the Parental Bill of Rights. Establishes certain rights of parents, including the right to consent in writing before any record of a 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. Carries over to 2022.

South Carolina Privacy Pending

Enacts the Parental Bill of Rights. Establishes certain rights of parents, including the right to consent in writing before any record of a 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. Carries over to 2022.

Florida Privacy Died

Enacts 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. Died.

Florida Privacy Died

Enacts 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. Died.

Mississippi Privacy Died

Enacts the Parents Matter Act. Parental rights include the 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 (S) Died In Committee.

Arkansas Privacy Died

Enacts the Parents' Bill of Rights. A parent must consent in writing before a biometric scan of a minor child or a record of a minor child's blood or DNA is created, shared, or stored. April 2, 2015 Recommended for study in the Interim by Joint Interim Committee on JUDICIARY COMMITTEE- HOUSE

New York Privacy Died

Enacts the Personal Information Protection Act. Establishes a personal information bill of rights requiring parties having custody of residents' personal identifying information to ensure the security of this information. Personal information includes DNA samples. Died.

New York Privacy Died

Enacts the Personal Information Protection Act. Establishes a personal information bill of rights requiring parties having custody of residents' personal identifying information to ensure the security of this information. Personal information includes DNA samples. Died.

South Carolina Privacy Pending

Enacts the South Carolina Biometric Data privacy Act. Provides certain requirements for a business that collets a consumer's biometric information. Allows consumers to: (1) request the deletion of collected biometric information; and (2) prohibit the sale of biometric information. Prohibits a business from discriminating against a consumer who opts out of the the sale of biometric information. Biometric information includes DNA. Carries over to 2022.

New Mexico Employment Nondiscrimination, Privacy Died

Enacts the Uniform Protection of Genetic Information in Employment Act. The bill also amends the Genetic Information privacy Act. Died in Consumer and Public Affairs Committee.

Massachusetts Privacy Died

Ensures patient privacy and control in health information exchanges by protecting health care information, including genetic information. 5/5/2016 Accompanied a study order, see H4242.

Massachusetts Privacy Died

Establish protections for the privacy of personal information pertaining to consumers, including biometric information such as DNA. 2/13/2020 In Senate. Accompanied a study order see S2534. Died.

Virginia Privacy Enacted

Establishes a framework for controlling and processing personal data in the Commonwealth. Applies to all persons that conduct business in the Commonwealth and either (i) control or process personal data of at least 100,000 consumers or (ii) derive over 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of personal data and control or process personal data of at least 25,000 consumers. Outlines responsibilities and privacy protection standards for data controllers and processors. Grants consumer rights to access, correct, delete, obtain a copy of personal data, and to opt out of the processing of personal data for the purposes of targeted advertising. Sensitive data, a form of personal data, is defined to include the processing of genetic or biometric data. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2023. Carried over to 2021 Special Session 1. Governor approved 3/2/21.

Virginia Privacy Enacted

Establishes a framework for controlling and processing personal data in the Commonwealth. Applies to all persons that conduct business in the Commonwealth and either (i) control or process personal data of at least 100,000 consumers or (ii) derive over 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of personal data and control or process personal data of at least 25,000 consumers. Outlines responsibilities and privacy protection standards for data controllers and processors. Grants consumer rights to access, correct, delete, obtain a copy of personal data, and to opt out of the processing of personal data for the purposes of targeted advertising. Sensitive data, a form of personal data, is defined to include the processing of genetic or biometric data. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2023. Carried over to 2021 Special Session 1. Governor approved 3/2/21.

Connecticut Privacy Died

Establishes a framework for controlling and processing personal data. Establishes responsibilities and privacy protection standards for data controllers and processors. Grants consumers the right to access, correct, delete and obtain a copy of personal data and to opt out of the processing of personal data for the purposes of targeted advertising. Sensitive data is defined as personal data that includes the processing of genetic or biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person. Died.

Minnesota Other Topics Died

Establishes a genetic marker testing pilot program. The program is intended to refine the understanding of disease onset and progression, treatment response, and health outcomes through more precise measurement of genetic factors that contribute to health and disease. Died.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination, Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Topics, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination, Privacy Died

Establishes a genetics advisory council and requires the council to report to the Governor on several topics, including (1) creating an environment in which there is equitable access to the benefits of genetic tests to all citizens regardless of race, ethnicity or economic status; and (2) the use of any genetic test by insurers, employers or educational institutions, including the potential for compromising the individual liberties and civil rights of individuals or causing individuals to suffer unfair discrimination. Died.

New York Other Topics Pending

Establishes a genetics advisory council. Requires a preliminary report to the governor and legislature before March 1, 2023 and a final report by December 1, 2023 on issues relating to genetic counseling, genetic testing and public education. Carries over to 2022.

New York Other Topics Died

Establishes a genetics advisory council. Topics to be examined by the council include (1) creating an environment in which there is equitable access to the benefits of genetic tests to all citizens regardless of race, ethnicity or economic status; and (2) the use of any genetic test by insurers, employers or educational institutions, including the potential for compromising the individual liberties and civil rights of individuals or causing individuals to suffer unfair discrimination. Died.

Minnesota Other Topics Pending

Establishes a grant program within the health department to award grants to persons, organizations, and entities to fund research studies on the evidence needed to: (1) support payer reimbursement and funding of pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing; (2) determine and validate new PGx variants in diverse populations such as Native Americans and Somali groups; (3) determine ethical, legal, and social implications of PGx; (4) determine the technical aspects needed to protect data and privacy as it relates to PGx; and (5) determine the education needed for successful PGx implementation. Carries over to 2022 session.
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Minnesota Other Topics Pending

Establishes a grant program within the health department to award grants to persons, organizations, and entities to fund research studies on the evidence needed to: (1) support payer reimbursement and funding of pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing; (2) determine and validate new PGx variants in diverse populations such as Native Americans and Somali groups; (3) determine ethical, legal, and social implications of PGx; (4) determine the technical aspects needed to protect data and privacy as it relates to PGx; and (5) determine the education needed for successful PGx implementation. Carries over to 2022 session.

New York Other Topics Enacted

Establishes a Hate Crime Task Force. The task force will issue reports and publications in conjunction with the Division on Human Rights to combat discrimination based on a variety of factors, including genetic information. 4/20/2017 Signed by the Governor Chapter 55.

New York Other Topics Enacted

Establishes a Hate Crime Task Force. The task force will issue reports and publications in conjunction with the Division on Human Rights to combat discrimination based on a variety of factors, including genetic predisposition status. 04/20/2017 Signed by the Governor Chapter 55.

Colorado Privacy, Research Died

Establishes a parental bill of rights. Requirements include parental consent in writing before any record of a minor child's blood or DNA is made, shared, or stored, unless such blood or DNA is otherwise required by law or court order. Died.

West Virginia Privacy Died

Establishes a parental bill of rights. Requirements include parental consent in writing before any record of a minor child's blood or DNA is made, shared, or stored, unless such blood or DNA is otherwise required by law or court order. Died.

New York Privacy Died

Establishes a personal information bill of rights requiring parties having custody of residents' personal identifying information to ensure the security the information. Personal information is defined to include biometric information such as DNA. Died.

New York Privacy Died

Establishes a personal information bill of rights. Declares the right of all New Yorkers to have their personal information, including DNA, protected. Died.

Texas Privacy Died

Establishes a personal property right to DNA samples. A person may not, without the informed, written consent of the individual or the individual's legal guardian or authorized representative: (1) collect a DNA sample from an individual; (2) perform a genetic test on an individual's DNA sample; or (3) retain an individual's DNA sample, with certain exceptions. Died.

Minnesota Other Topics Died

Establishes a pharmacogenetics task force. Died.

Minnesota Other Topics Died

Establishes a pharmacogenetics task force. Died.

Rhode Island Health Insurance Coverage Died

Establishes a rare disease medication reinsurance fund. Creates and establishes funding for a rare disease medication advisory council. Based on information from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the council must recommend the drugs to be covered, an assessment rate, and a funding distribution method. The council must recommend for inclusion only those medications that are high cost prescription drugs, gene therapies or cell therapies designated as orphan drugs by the federal drug administration. 2/23/2021 Committee recommended measure be held for further study. Died.

Rhode Island Health Insurance Coverage Died

Establishes a rare disease medication reinsurance fund. Creates and establishes funding for a rare disease medication advisory council. Based on information from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the council must recommend the drugs to be covered, an assessment rate, and a funding distribution method. The council must recommend for inclusion only those medications that are high cost prescription drugs, gene therapies or cell therapies designated as orphan drugs by the federal drug administration. 4/1/2021 Committee recommended measure be held for further study. Died.

Connecticut Other Topics Died

Establishes a task force to require a study of the link between the abnormal genes associated with breast and ovarian cancers and the nerve death associated with Alzheimer's disease to improve diagnosis, risk assessment and treatment of such disease. Died.

New York Other Topics Died

Establishes an eleven member genetics advisory council. Died.

New Hampshire Privacy Died

Establishes and individual's property right to his or her genetic information and DNA sample, except as expressly otherwise provided in statute. Requires consent to acquire, retain, or disclose a person's genetic information or DNA sample. 5/2/2018 Refer to Interim Study, MA, VV.

Maine Privacy Died

Establishes annual registration of data brokers. Requires data brokers to develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive information security program to protect personally identifiable information. Personally identifiable information includes genetic identifiers. Ought Not to Pass Pursuant To Joint Rule 310, Jun 2, 2021.

North Carolina Other Topics Pending

Establishes certain rights of perinatal care patients, including the right to receive care and treatment free from discrimination based on characteristics such as genetic information. Carries over to 2022.

North Carolina Other Topics Pending

Establishes certain rights of perinatal care patients, including the right to receive care and treatment free from discrimination based on characteristics such as genetic information. Carries over to 2022.

Maryland Privacy Died

Establishes consumer protections pertaining to the collection, possession, use, disclosure and retention of biometric identifiers. Biometric information is defined to include genetic markers and genetic testing information. Died.

Illinois Privacy Died

Establishes consumer rights to copies of information held by persons who control and process data. Provides for the correction of inaccurate data. Provides for restrictions on the use of personal data. Defines health care information to include a patient's deoxyribonucleic acid. Died.

Illinois Privacy Died

Establishes consumer rights to copies of information held by persons who control and process data. Provides for the correction of inaccurate data. Provides for restrictions on the use of personal data. Defines health care information to include a patient's deoxyribonucleic acid. Died.

Maine Privacy Died

Establishes consumer rights with respect to personal information collected by a business. Personal information includes biometric information. Biometric information is defined to include deoxyribonucleic acid. Died Between Houses, Jun 2, 2021.

Kentucky Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Establishes health-status eligibility rules for health benefit plans in any market. Prohibits requiring a greater premium or contribution, or different benefits coverage, on the basis of any health status-related factor, including genetic information. Prohibits pre-existing condition exclusions. Prohibits adjustment of premium or contribution amounts for group health plans on the basis of genetic information. Died.

Kentucky Health Insurance Coverage Died

Establishes mandated coverage requirements of genetic testing for mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes for insured who are at risk of breast cancer or ovarian cancer or who have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer under the age of forty. 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