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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 Sort descending Primary Link Topic(s) Bill Status Summary
New Jersey Employment Nondiscrimination Died

This bill prohibits employers from (1) seeking to obtain or use a genetic test or genetic information, (2) requiring a genetic test or genetic information, (3) accessing or requesting or requiring consent to access genetic information, (4) requesting or requiring a genetic test from an individual or family member, or (5) inquiring about whether an individual or family member has taken or refused to take a genetic test. Civil penalties are set forth for violations. Measure failed.

New Jersey Other Topics Died

Establishes the New Jersey Pharmacogenomics Commission. Died.

New Jersey Coverage and reimbursement Introduced

Requires health_insurance_coverage of prenatal genetic test during first trimester of pregnancy.

New Jersey Privacy Died

Exempts certain health information, including genetic information, contained in 9-1-1 calls from definition of government record. Died.

New Jersey Privacy Died

This bill sets forth requirements for government collection of biometric identifiers, including DNA. No governmental entity shall obtain a biometric identifier of an individual without authorization of the individual, with some exceptions such as law enforcement. Died.

New Jersey Privacy Died

Expands the state law on discrimination by prohibiting any entity that operates a health program or activity from: 1. Excluding participation in, deny the benefits of, or otherwise discriminate under any health program or activity on the basis of an individual�s genetic information or 2. Aiding or perpetuating discrimination against any person by providing significant assistance to any entity or person that discriminates on the basis of genetic information. Died.

New Jersey Coverage and reimbursement Introduced

Requires health_insurance_coverage of prenatal genetic test during first trimester of pregnancy.

New Mexico Privacy Died

Prohibits the disclosure of sensitive personal information by a state agency employee acquired by virtue of the employee's position with a state agency to anyone outside the state agency except under specified circumstances. 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 Mexico Employment Nondiscrimination, Other Topics, Privacy Died

Establishes that every person, whether a minor or an adult, has the right of bodily integrity and the freedom to assert that right. A person may not be discriminated agains or denied public accommodation, housing accommodation, employment, government services or any other services offered to the general public or otherwise penalized for the assertion of the right of bodily integrity, including the right not to provide samples of bodily fluids, bodily tissue or genetic material. Died.

New Mexico Employment Nondiscrimination, Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination, Privacy, Research Statute

The statutes contain provisions on the acquisition, collection, retention, transmission or use of genetic information. Consent requirements provide an exemption (1) if DNA, genetic information or results of genetic analysis are not identified with the person or person's family members or (2) for the purpose of medical or scientific research and education (including retention of gene products, genetic information or genetic analysis if the identity of the person or person's family members is not disclosed.) Discrimination by an insurer against a person or his/her family member based on genetic analysis, genetic information or genetic propensity is prohibited. Life, disability income or long-term care insurance are exempt if use is based on sound actuarial principles or related to actual or reasonably anticipated experience. Upon request a persons genetic information or samples must be promptly destroyed with some exceptions, including if retention is authorized under a research protocol approved by an institution review board pursuant to federal law. It is unlawful for a person to use genetic information in employment or recruiting. A person whose rights under the provisions of the Genetic Information privacy Act have been violated may bring a civil action for damages or other relief.

New Mexico Privacy Enacted

This bill amends the Genetic Information privacy Act by adding an exemption for clinical laboratories with regard to consent requirements. A laboratory conducting an analysis or test of a specific individual per a written order from a health care practitioner or the health care practitioner's agent, including by electronic transmission, may obtain, retain, transmit, or use an individual's DNA, genetic information, or test results without the individual's written and informed consent. Signed by the Governor 4/10/2015.

New Mexico Employment Nondiscrimination Died

This bill enacts the Uniform Protection of Genetic Information in Employment Act on employee access to genetic information, confidentiality and retention of genetic information and disclosure of genetic information. Measure failed.

New Mexico Other Topics Statute

If a firefighter is diagnosed with breast cancer after five years of employment, and if it is diagnosed before the age of forty without a breast cancer 1 or breast cancer 2 genetic predisposition to breast cancer, the disease is presumed to be proximately caused by employment as a firefighter.

New Mexico Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Enacted

Aligns health insurance law with federal law. Prohibits a group health benefits plan or a health insurance issuer that offers group health_insurance_coverage in connection with a group health benefits plan from adjusting premiums or contribution amounts for the group covered under the plan on the basis of genetic information. April 4, 2019 Signed by Governor - Chapter 259. Effective June 5, 2019.

New Mexico Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill removes language in several sections of the statutes related to health insurance, which state that genetic information is not a health status factor. Measure failed.

New Mexico Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Statute

A health benefit plan that is offered by a carrier or an approved health plan offered to a small employer and plans subject to the Health Insurance Portability Act may not impose a pre-existing condition exclusion based on genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis. A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group health_insurance_coverage may not establish rules for eligibility or continued eligibility based a health status-related factor, including genetic information. A group health benefits plan or a health insurance issuer that offers group health_insurance_coverage in connection with a group health benefits plan from adjusting premiums or contribution amounts for the group covered under the plan on the basis of genetic information. Under the Small Group Rate and Renewability Act, provisions allowing a carrier to use health status in establishing the amount an employer may be charged for coverage under a group health plan exclude genetic information from the definition of health status.

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 Mexico Health Insurance Coverage Died

An individual or group health insurance policy, health care plan or certificate of health insurance that is delivered or issued for delivery in New Mexico must provide certain benefits that have, in effect, a rating of "A" or "B" in the current recommendations of the United States preventive services task force, for various services, including genetic counseling and evaluation for breast cancer BRCA-gene testing for women whose family histories are associated with an increased risk for deleterious mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Died in Committee.

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.

New York Privacy Pending

Imposes requirements for the collection and use of emergency health data and personal information and the use of technology to aid during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Requires entities using technology to get consent from individuals and to disclose certain information including the right to privacy and who will have access to the data. Emergency health data is defined to include genetic data. Carries over to 2022.

New York Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill defines the term "genetic predisposition" for purposes of individual and small group health insurance policies, requires that genetic predisposition be disregarded in community rating, and provides that no pre-existing condition exclusion in such a policy shall exclude coverage on the basis of any genetic predisposition. Measure failed.

New York Privacy Died

Establishes the It's Your Data Act to provide protections and transparency in the collection use retention and sharing of personal information. Personal information is defined to include biometric information such as a DNA sequence. Referred to Rules 10/28/2020. Died.

New York Other Topics Enacted

A Transportation Network Company (TNC) may not discriminate against passengers or potential passengers on the basis of a genetic predisposition. TNC drivers must comply with the anti-discrimination law. 4/20/2017 Signed by the Governor Chapter 58.

New York Privacy Died

A Transportation Network Company (TNC) may not discriminate against passengers or potential passengers on the basis of a genetic predisposition. TNC drivers must comply with the anti-discrimination law. Died.

New York Research Died

Regulates the use of human subjects for medical research and experimentation, including subjects with mental disorders and children. Died.

New York Privacy Died

This bill establishes the Medicaid identification and anti-fraud biometric technology pilot program. Biometric technologies includes, but is not limited to, DNA and other identifiers. Died.

New York Other Topics Enacted

Prohibits the state, or any agency or bureau, or any other entity from denying a refugee resettlement anywhere within the state based on any criterion, method of administration, or practice that has the purpose or effect of discriminating on the basis of various factors, including predisposing genetic characteristics. Carries over to 2022.

New York Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill prohibits the use of genetic information for community rating to develop small group health insurance premiums. The bill also prohibits pre-existing condition exclusions in small group health insurance policies based on genetic predisposition. Measure failed.

New York Health Insurance Coverage Died

Provides insurance coverage for colonoscopies for individuals 45 or older based on risk factors, including genetic history. Died.

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.

New York Privacy Died

Requires written notification to parents of infant's whose DNA or blood spots are retained. Died.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination, Other Topics Pending

Requires companies to file a biennial climate report. The requirements for the form and content of the climate report at a minimum must include: (i) Company climate surveys to be filled out anonymously by employees, which are designed to assess such company's workplace environment including, but not limited to, pay equity, sexual harassment and discrimination based on an individual's age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or domestic violence victim status. Carries over to 2022.

New York Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill prohibits any group or blanket health insurance policy from excluding coverage for any group member based on a predisposing genetic characteristic, and prohibits any hospital service corporation, health service corporation or medical expense indemnity corporation contract from excluding coverage for any group member based on predisposing genetic characteristics. Measure failed.

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 Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits discrimination based on the results of a genetic test or the provision of genetic information. Insurers may not require and applicant to undergo a genetic test or answer questions about genetic testing. Died.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Establishes unlawful discriminatory practices relating to models, including discrimination based on predisposing genetic characteristics. Died.

New York Privacy Died

Prohibits the release of personally identifiable student information, including DNA sequence, where parental consent is not provided. Died.

New York Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill prohibits group or blanket policies that cover 51 or more employees for hospital, medical, major medical, or similar type comprehensive coverage from excluding members or dependents or establishing rates based on predisposing genetic characteristics. The bill also prohibits health insurers from requiring or using tests for or information about predisposing genetic characteristics for underwriting. The same restrictions are imposed upon hospital service corporations, health services corporation and medical expense indemnity corporations covering 51 or more employees. Measure failed.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits an employer, licensing agency, employment agency, or labor organization from subjecting an individual to discriminatory harassment based on various factors, including predisposing genetic characteristics. Prohibits subjecting domestic workers to unwelcome harassment based on genetic information. Died.

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.

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.

New York Health Insurance Coverage Pending

Requires accident and health insurance policies to cover the cost of genetic testing of persons with a family history of cancer when the attending physician determines such person has a significant risk thereof. Carries over to 2022.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination, Other Topics, Privacy Died

Prohibits discrimination based on genetic information in multiple sections of the statutes, including those pertaining to employment, housing, credit, education and other areas. Died.

New York Health Insurance Coverage Pending

Requires health insurance policies to cover comprehensive genetic screening for ovarian and prostate cancers. Carries over to 2022.

New York Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

his bill defines the term "genetic predisposition" for purposes of individual and small group health insurance policies, requires that genetic predisposition be disregarded in community rating, and provides that no pre-existing condition exclusion in such a policy shall exclude coverage on the basis of any genetic predisposition. Measure failed.

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 Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Requires accident and health insurance policies to cover the cost of genetic testing of persons with a family history of cancer. Died.

New York Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires policies that provide coverage for hospital, medical or surgical care to provide coverage for screening for ovarian cancer, upon examination by a physician or other factors, including genetic testing, for an ultrasound at specified periods. Died.

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

This bill creates the genetics advisory council. The council, if created, will study and make recommendations on various issues, including unfair discrimination by employers and insurers. Measure failed.

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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