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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.

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State Sort descending Primary Link Topic(s) Bill Status Summary
North Carolina Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Statute

A health benefit plan, health maintenance organization or multiple employer welfare arrangement may not raise the premium or contribution rates paid for a group health benefit plan, refuse to issue or deliver a health benefit plan, or charge a higher premium rate or charge because of genetic information. Health benefit plans must comply with all applicable standards of the federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. Insurers providing accident and sickness policies or hospital, medical, or dental health service may not refuse to issue or deliver any policy that affords benefits or coverage for any medical treatment or service authorized or permitted by specified entities or carry a higher premium rate or charge by reason of the fact that the person to be insured possesses sickle cell trait or hemoglobin C trait. A group health insurer may not establish rules for eligibility or continued eligibility based on a health status-related factor, including genetic information, or treat genetic information as a pre-existing condition in the absence of a diagnosis. An individual health insurer may not increase an individual's renewal premium for continued health_insurance_coverage based on a health statusrelated factors, including genetic information. A sponsoring association of an employee welfare benefit program may not condition eligibility for coverage, including continuing eligibility for coverage, on health status related factors such as genetic information.

North Carolina Other Topics Died

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

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 Employment Nondiscrimination Statute

A person, firm, corporation, unincorporated association, state agency, unit of local government, or any public or private entity may not deny or refuse employment to or discharge any person or because of the person's having requested genetic testing or counseling services, on the basis of genetic information obtained concerning the person or a member of the person's family, or because the person possesses sickle cell trait or hemoglobin C trait.

North Carolina Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Amends genetic nondiscrimination in employment statute. Deletes existing provision related to genetic information and adds protected classes or protected categories, which is defined to include predisposing genetic characteristics. Died.

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

Prohibits discrimination based on various characteristics such as genetic information in the following areas: housing; employment; lending; education; public accommodation; insurance; and jury service. 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.

North Carolina Employment Nondiscrimination, Other Topics Died

Creates the Equal Employment and Equal Access to Public Accommodations Act. Declares that it is the public policy of the State to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity to all individuals to seek, obtain and hold employment without discrimination or abridgment and to enjoy fully and equally the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of places of public accommodations free of discrimination because of race, sex, national origin, citizenship, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, handicap, or disability. Declares that it is the policy of the State Board of Community Colleges, local boards of trustees of the State of North Carolina, and the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina not to discriminate among students. Died.

North Carolina Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Enacted

This bill requires health benefit plans and insurers to comply with all applicable standards of Public Law 110-233, known as the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, as amended by Public Law 110-343, and as further amended. Signed by the Governor July 31, 2009.

North Carolina Privacy Pending

Creates the Consumer Data privacy Act of North Carolina. Prohibits data controllers from processing sensitive data concerning a consumer without obtaining the consumer's consent, or, in the case of sensitive data concerning a known child, without processing such data in accordance with the federal Children's Online privacy Protection Act. Sensitive data is defined to include the processing of genetic or biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person. Carries over to 2022.

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

Prohibits discriminatory housing practices based on protected status, which includes genetic information. Declares that it is the public policy of the State to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all individuals to 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.

North Carolina Employment Nondiscrimination Enacted

Sets forth procedures for State employment appeals of grievances and disciplinary actions related to discrimination claims, including discrimination based on genetic information. Signed by the Governor August 21, 2013.

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

Prohibits discriminatory housing practices based on protected status, which includes genetic information. Declares that it is the public policy of the State to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all individuals to 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.

North Carolina Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Enacted

A sponsoring association of an employee welfare benefit program may not condition eligibility for coverage, including continuing eligibility for coverage, on health status related factors such as genetic information. 8/26/2019 Became law without signature.

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

Prohibits discriminatory housing practices based on protected status, which includes genetic information. Declares that it is the public policy of the State to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all individuals to 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.

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 Dakota Privacy, Research Enacted

This bill amends provisions in the state newborn screening law pertaining to the use of residual dried blood spots for research. The bill states that a person conducting research on blood spots, other specimens, or registry data that is maintained by the health department must follow IRB processes for human research, which must include obtaining parent or guardian authorization. 4/16/2015 Signed by the Governor.

North Dakota Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Statute

A person that conducts research on blood spots, other specimens, or registry data maintained by the health department must follow IRB processes for human subjects research, including obtaining parent or guardian authorization.

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.

North Dakota Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Statute

Health benefit plans covering small employers and group policies of hospital and medical insurance may not treat genetic information as a pre-existing condition in the absence of a diagnosis. A health status-related factor is defined to include genetic information in the chapter of the law pertaining to small employer employee health insurance.

North Dakota Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires the public employees retirement board to provide coverage for the expenses of the diagnosis of infertility, fertility treatment, and standard fertility preservation services if recommended and medically necessary. Fertility treatment includes genetic testing. Died.

North Dakota Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Enacted

This bill amends the statute that allows the health council to authorize the use of newborn metabolic screening tests for legitimate research purposes by broadening the term "newborn metabolic screening tests" to include "newborn metabolic and genetic disease screening tests." Signed by the Governor April 26, 2011.

Ohio Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Enacted

Amends existing health_insurance_nondiscrimination law. The bill adds that accident and sickness insurers and public employee health benefit plans may not use information from genetic screening or testing to set premiums for, a policy or plan. Effective 6/30/2015.

Ohio Health Insurance Coverage Enacted

Requires the state Medicaid program, individual health insurers and group health insurers to cover breast cancer screening for women meeting certain conditions, including those who have a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Carries over to 2022.

Ohio Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Enacted

Amends the definition of "genetic screening or testing" used in the state health_insurance_nondiscrimination statute. Replaces "abnormalities, defects, or deficiencies," in the definition with "genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal changes." Carries over to 2022.

Ohio Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Statute

A health insuring corporation may not (1) cancel or fail to renew the coverage because of any health status-related factor, including genetic information, (2) require an individual seeking coverage to submit to genetic screening or testing or taken into account or inquire about such testing, (3) make a decision adverse to the applicant based on entries in medical records or other reports of genetic screening or testing, or (4) cancel or refuse to issue or renew coverage for health care services based on the results of genetic screening or testing, or (6) limit benefits of an individual or group policy, contract, or agreement based on the results of genetic screening or testing. A violation of these provisions is an unfair and deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance. Further provisions apply upon the repeal of the current protections, which are in effect until February 9, 2014.

Ohio Health Insurance Coverage Died

This bill prohibits individual or group accident and sickness insurers from excluding coverage for the screening and diagnosis of autism, including genetic testing. Measure failed.

Ohio Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Statute

It is an unfair and deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance to engage in any underwriting standard or other practice that due solely to any health status-related factor, including genetic information, terminates or fails to renew an existing individual policy, contract, plan of health benefits, or a health benefit plan issued to an employer, for which an individual would otherwise be eligible, or, with respect to a health benefit plan issued to an employer, excludes or causes the exclusion of an individual from coverage under an existing employer-provided policy, contract, or plan of health benefits. Insurers issuing accident and sickness insurance, self-insurers or public employee health benefit plans may not consider information obtained from genetic screening or testing in processing an application or in determining insurability or inquire into the results of genetic screening or testing or use such information to cancel, refuse to issue or renew, or limit benefits. The superintendent of insurance has the authority to investigate violations of this provision.

Ohio Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill creates the Ohio Health Benefit Exchange. The exchange must meet the minimum requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. Died.

Ohio Privacy Died

Requires a health care provider to obtain an individual's informed consent prior to testing for the presence or absence of a communicable life-threatening disease or infection or immune response to disease or infection that is the subject of an epidemic or pandemic. The results of an individual's test, including any partial or complete biometric record of an individual's DNA sequence is the property of the individual and may only be transmitted to the individual tested. 5/27/20 Referred to Committee on State and Local Government. Died.

Oklahoma Health Insurance Coverage Died

This bill requires individual and group health insurers that provide coverage on an expense-incurred basis to provide reimbursement not to exceed $115 for mammography screening any female under 35 with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Measure failed.

Oklahoma Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Research Statute

Any individual, corporation, association, partnership, insurance support organization, fraternal benefit society, insurance producer, third-party administrator, self-insurer, or any other legal entity engaged in the business of insurance that issues accident and sickness insurance policies or administers a health insurance plan may not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of a policy on a pre-existing condition or genetic information. These entities also may not discriminate with respect to pricing a policy or certificate, including premiums, based on genetic information. A violation is an unfair and deceptive act or practice. An insurer also may not request or require a genetic test with an exception for research. An insurer may request a genetic test if the request is pursuant to research that complies with the Common Rule and other specified criteria are met.

Oklahoma Employment Nondiscrimination Died

This bill amends statutes pertaining to discriminatory practices in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The bill provides exclusive remedies for individuals alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of genetic information. Measure failed.

Oklahoma Employment Nondiscrimination Statute

For purposes of distinguishing between or discriminating against or restricting any right or benefit otherwise due or available to an employee or prospective employee other than in connection with the determination of insurance coverage or benefits an employer may not (1) seek to obtain or use a genetic test or genetic information of the employee or the prospective employee, or (2) require a genetic test of or require genetic information from the employee or prospective employee.

Oklahoma Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Research Died

A health carrier offering health benefit plans providing individual market health_insurance_coverage may not (1) impose a pre-existing condition exclusion on the basis of genetic information, (2) establish rules for the eligibility, including continued eligibility, of any individual to enroll for coverage based on genetic information, (3) adjust premium or contribution amounts for an individual on the basis of genetic information concerning the individual or a family member of the individual, (4) request or require an individual or a family member of an individual to undergo a genetic test, or (5) request or require or purchase genetic information for underwriting purposes or to determine eligibility. A health carrier may request, but not require, that an individual or a family member of the individual undergo a genetic test if the request is made pursuant to research that complies with Part 46 of Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations or equivalent federal regulations and any applicable state or local law or regulations for the protection of human subjects in research and other criteria are met. Died.

Oklahoma Privacy Statute

A person who maintains genetic information may not be compelled to disclose the information except under specified circumstances.

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.

Oklahoma Research Statute

The statutes related to research apply to genetic research studies approved by an institutional review board as defined in 21 CFR, � 50 or conducted subject to the requirements of the federal common rule at 21 CFR, � 50 and � 56, and 45 CFR, � 46. research records are confidential and may not be disclosed to employers or health insurers without informed consent. The provision does not apply to an insurer or to an individual dealing with an insurer in the course of underwriting, conducting or administering life, disability income or long-term care insurance. Stored tissues, including blood, that arise from surgery, other diagnostic or therapeutic steps, or autopsy may be disclosed for genetic or other research studies with informed consent. Results of genetic research studies may be published if no individual subject is identified.

Oklahoma Other Topics Died

The Office of Management and Enterprise Services must contract with a vendor to conduct a pilot project to determine incentives to both health care providers and patients for each care encounter in which the provider and patient incorporate genetic testing for ability to metabolize prescription drugs, drug testing of persons prescribed narcotics and other proven medical interventions made available and recorded through the program in the rendering and utilization of health care. Died.

Oklahoma Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Enacted

This bill requires parental consent required to store, transfer, use or database DNA from any newborn child. Signed by the Governor May 11, 2010.

Oklahoma Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Statute

Group accident and sickness policies may not treat genetic information as a pre-existing condition or base eligibility or continued eligibility of any individual on health-status-related factors, including genetic information.

Oklahoma Other Topics Died

Requires certain residents of long-term care facilities to have a pharmacogenomics profile conducted. The profile must include the results of at least eighteen genes tested and be accompanied by treatment guidance for each disease state-tested. Died.

Oklahoma Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Research Enacted

This bill modifies the state Genetic Information Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act. Topics addressed by the modifications include definitions, discrimination in health insurance based on genetic information, and prohibitions for requesting and requiring genetic a genetic test with exceptions for research if conducted in compliance with the Common Rule and certain criteria are met. Approved by the Governor on 5/10/2010.

Oklahoma Other Topics Died

Prohibits discrimination based on genetic information in housing and the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of a place of public accommodation. Died.

Oklahoma Employment Nondiscrimination Enacted

This bill amends statutes pertaining to discriminatory practices in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The bill provides exclusive remedies for individuals alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of genetic information. Signed by the Governor May 18, 2011.

Oklahoma Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires certain residents of long-term care facilities to have a pharmacogenomics profile conducted. The profile must include the results of at least eighteen genes tested and be accompanied by treatment guidance for each disease state-tested. Died.

Oklahoma Privacy, Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Enacted

This bill creates the Parents' Bill of Rights. Rights under the bill include 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. Signed by the Governor on May 12, 2014.

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.

Oklahoma Other Topics Died

Prohibits unlawful housing discriminatory practices based on genetic information. Died.

Oklahoma Other Topics, Privacy Pending

Requires a practitioner to offer to administer a pharmacogenomic test to a patient prior to the prescription of any psychotropic drug. The practitioner is required by the measure to inform the patient that pharmacogenomic tests have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The practitioner must obtain the patient�s informed consent prior to ordering a pharmacogenomic test and must provide an estimate to the patient if the practitioner is aware of the cost. 2/2/2021 Second Reading. Referred to Senate Health and Human Services. Carries over to 2022.

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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