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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
Vermont Privacy Died

Proposes to identify a DNA sample and the results of a DNA analysis performed on the sample as the exclusive property of the person sampled or analyzed and to provide criminal and civil penalties for unlawful DNA collection, analysis, retention, or disclosure. Died.

Wisconsin Privacy Died

Establishes requirements on controllers that process consumers' personal data, including genetic data. 4/1/2020 Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.

Arizona Other Topics Died

Prohibits placing an inmate in isolated confinement based on certain factors, including genetic information. Died.

Florida Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits life insurers and long-term care insurers from basing decisions on genetic information. Prohibits these insurers from taking certain actions related to genetic information for any insurance purpose. Died.

Kentucky Privacy Died

Any agency that collects, maintains, or stores personal information that determines or is notified of a security breach relating to personal information collected, maintained, or stored by the agency or by a nonaffiliated third party on behalf of the agency must take specified actions. Personal information includes a genetic print or image. Agencies covered under the law include the executive branch of state government, local government and public educational institutions. Died.

Maryland Privacy Died

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

Minnesota Other Topics Died

This bill requires any person who provides a specimen collection kit to a resident of Minnesota for the purpose of collecting genetic material to perform a genetic test to first provide the resident with the disclosure, as described in the legislation. The bill also requires a study to determine which companies and laboratories are providing direct-to-consumer genetic tests to Minnesota residents. Measure failed.

Missouri Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Proposes a Constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, to provide that prohibits health plans from limiting or excluding benefits relating to any condition based on the fact that the condition is a preexisting condition or charging a different premium rate or imposing different out-of-pocket costs for the same coverage based on the fact that a person covered under the plan has a preexisting condition. Genetic information should not be treated as a preexisting condition in the absence of a diagnosis of the condition related to such information. 4/22/2021 Voted Do Pass Senate Insurance and Banking Committee. Died.

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 York Research Died

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

Tennessee Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Prior to amendment, this bill exempt insurance pools created by an association of private, not-for-profit educational institutions that has been in existence for at least 25 years from the provisions governing genetic information nondiscrimination. This language was removed from the final version of the bill. The companion bill substituted with SB 343 signed by the Governor May 15, 2007.

Washington Privacy Died

Requires controller who determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data to obtain consent prior to processing sensitive data, including genetic data. Controllers must conduct an assessment of activities pertaining to the processing of sensitive data. Died.

Connecticut Employment Nondiscrimination Died

This bill amends the state genetic nondiscrimination law for employment by creating an exemption for state or local law enforcement, the department of public safety and the division of scientific services that allows those entities to request or require employees to provide genetic information for the purpose of detecting contamination of samples examined by the division of scientific services. Measure failed.

Idaho Other Topics Died

If a firefighter is diagnosed with breast cancer within 5 years of employment if diagnosed before the age of 40 and if the cancer was not revealed during an initial employment medical screening examination or during any subsequent medical review, the disease shall be rebuttably presumed to be proximately caused by the firefighter's employment as a firefighter, regardless of whether or not the firefighter has a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Died.

Maryland Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill amends provisions of law that relate to the use of genetic tests and genetic information by an insurer, nonprofit health service plan, or health maintenance organization. The bill also amends provisions related to the use of genetic information in disability insurance, longterm care insurance, or life insurance. Measure failed.

Massachusetts Other Topics Died

Prohibits local or state administrative, legislative or regulatory body or instrumentality from engaging in discriminatory land use practices based on a variety of factors, including genetic information. 4/11/2018 Accompanied a new draft, see H4397.

Mississippi Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

In the group health market genetic information may not be excluded as a preexisting condition in the absence of a diagnosis of the condition related to the genet ic information. Measure failed.

Connecticut Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires health_insurance_coverage, without any out-of-pocket expense, for: (1) diagnostic and screening mammograms, breast ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging of breasts for all insureds; (2) breast biopsies for all insureds, and (3) prophylactic mastectomies and breast reconstruction surgery for all insureds who have the harmful variant of breast cancer gene one (BRCA1), breast cancer gene two (BRCA2) or any similar gene variant that materially increases breast cancer risk. 1/27/2021 Referred to Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate.

Illinois Privacy Died

Amends the Genetic Information privacy Act provisions concerning uses and disclosures. Provides that various uses or disclosures of a patient's genetic information may not (rather than may) occur without the patient's consent. Died.

Maryland Privacy Died

Allows the Motor Vehicle Administration to offer enhanced identification. An individual who applies for enhanced identification may be asked to provide biometric identification, which is defined to include DNA. Died.

Massachusetts Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires insurance coverage for mammograms and breast cancer screening if the patient has additional risk factors for breast cancer such as family history and positive genetic testing. Died.

Mississippi Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits health plans from denying coverage for a preexisting condition unless certain conditions are met. Genetic information may not be excluded as a preexisting condition in the absence of a diagnosis of the condition related to the genetic information. 1/30/2018 Died in Committee.

New Jersey Privacy Died

Establishes personal property rights to DNA samples and genetic information resulting from DNA analysis. Requires consent for use of samples and information from person sampled or analyzed. Died.

New York Privacy Died

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

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.

Virginia Employment Nondiscrimination Died

This bill amends the state employment genetic nondiscrimination law by adding the Commonwealth or any of its agencies, institutions, or political subdivisions, or any public body to the list of entities covered under the law. Measure failed.

California Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Creates the Healthy California Board, which is responsible for the establishment of the Healthy California program to provide comprehensive universal single-payer health care coverage and a health care cost control system for the benefit of all residents of the state. Consistent with the Unruh Civil Rights Act, the Board must promote nondiscrimination with respect to members and health care providers on the basis of genetic information and other characteristics. Died.

Georgia Employment Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination, Privacy Died

This bill creates guidelines such as consent requirements for the creation and storage of biometric information, which is defined to include DNA samples. The bill also prohibits life insurers from requiring genetic information to determine an applicants eligibility or rates to be charged for life insurance; however, any pre-existing genetic information must be supplied to the insurance company upon application. The bill forbids employers or employment agencies from using information derived from genetic testing for identification purposes or as a condition of employment. The bill provides remedies for individuals whose genetic information is inappropriately used. Measure failed.

Louisiana Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Retains present law and extends the definition of "discriminatory practice in connection with employment" to include all of the discrimination statutes in present law, which would add veterans, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sickle cell trait, and genetic information. Died.

Maryland Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Establishes the Healthy Maryland Program. Requires the Board to establish requirements and standards to consistent with state nondiscrimination laws, including those pertaining to genetic information. Participating providers may not refuse to provide health care services on the basis of genetic information. Died.

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 Senate - Hearing 1/27 at 1:00 p.m. Died.

Minnesota Research, Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Died

The bill provides options to parents regarding blood samples collected for the purpose of newborn screening, including the right to authorize in writing that the blood sample and test results may be used for public health studies or research. Died.

Nebraska Privacy Died

This bill amends section 71-551 of the statutes on genetic testing. Proposed changes address the types of genetic tests covered under law and and consent requirements. Measure failed.

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.

Texas Privacy Died

This bill 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.

West Virginia Health Insurance Coverage Died

Insurers that provide reimbursement or indemnity for laboratory or X-ray services must cover a comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for cancer due to positive genetic testing or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice nurse. Died.

Alaska Privacy Died

Establishes the Consumer Data privacy Act. Requires businesses to notify consumers before the collection of personal information. Consumers may opt out of the sale of personal information. Businesses must maintain privacy policies available online describing consumer's privacy rights such as the designated methods in which the consumer can request access or deletion of personal information. Biometric information, including deoxyribonucleic acid, is considered personal information. Carries over to 2022 session.

Florida Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill amends Florida's health_insurance_nondiscrimination law. The bill removes the exemption for life, disability and long-term care insurance under existing law and states that the law applies to other lines of insurance. Died.

Iowa Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Privacy, Research Died

This bill prohibits health insurers from discriminating based on genetic information or tests. Authorization is required to obtain genetic information or samples. Consent requirements are established to collect, retain, transmit or use genetic information. Exceptions under consent requirements include medical or scientific research and eduction and for use in medical repositories and registries if it does not contain personally identifiable information. Health insurers may not release genetic information without prior written authorization. Exceptions for release requirements include (1) if an individual is participating in research settings, including those governed by the federal policy for the protection of human subjects, and (2) tests conducted purely for research. Measure failed.

Maryland Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Establishing Healthy Maryland as a public corporation and a unit of State government to provide comprehensive universal health coverage for every Maryland resident. The Health Maryland Board must develop rules to promote nondiscrimination with respect to genetic information among members and providers. Died.

Michigan Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill allows a health insurer to request a genetic test as additional information for prior authorization. (See version passed by the Senate). Measure failed.

Missouri Privacy Died

Protects the privacy of student data, which encompasses biometric records. Biometric records is defined to include DNA. 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.

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.

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.

Washington Health Insurance Coverage Died

Substitute bill version: Requires the drug utilization review board to consider the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of drugs and gene therapies in its recommendations to the director of the authority regarding coverage for medical assistance programs. Died.

California Privacy Died

Requires a genealogy company, defined as a person that is not subject to HIPAA and obtains the DNA of a person through submission of a saliva sample or other methods, to display a notice in all advertising, it�s privacy policies, at the point of sale of the product, and on product packaging. The notice must contain information about the company's privacy policy. Died.

Hawaii Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for genetic counseling and testing related to the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation, if indicated. 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.

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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