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The Genome Statute and Legislation Database is comprised of state statutes and bills introduced during the 2002-2024 U.S. state legislative sessions.

Overview

NHGRI's Table of State Statutes Related to Genomics provides the total number of states that have enacted legislation on the topics in the database, together with a description of each topic. 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 Primary Link Topic(s) Bill Status Summary
California Other Topics Died

This bill prohibits the denial of a workers' compensation claim solely because the motivation behind what caused the employee's injury or injury resulting in death was related to an immutable characteristic of the employee. The bill also states that physicians assigning apportionment to the causes of permanent disability by finding what approximate percentage of the disability is a direct result of the employment-related injury versus other factors may not consider genetic predisposition a cause or other factor of disability. Measure failed.

California Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill states that all biological data derived from post-CLIA bioinformatics services shall be considered to contain genetic characteristics, as defined in section 1374.7 of the Health and Safety Code and section 10146 of the Insurance Code and is subject to the prohibitions in those sections of the statutes. Measure failed.

Colorado Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Privacy, Research Enacted

This bill amends definitions in the Colorado genetic nondiscrimination in health insurance law. The bill also adds a new section to the Colorado statutes pertaining to limitations on disclosure of genetic information and allows the use of genetic information by research facilities provided that the information is not disclosed to third parties other than to an individual's physician with his or her consent. Signed by the Governor May 25, 2010.

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.

Illinois Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill deletes provisions in the statutes related to pre-existing conditions and the treatment on genetic information as such a condition. Measure failed.

Louisiana Privacy, Research Enacted

This bill amends Louisianas genetic nondiscrimination in health insurance law. The definition of genetic information and genetic test is revised. The bill also prohibits health insurers from requesting, requiring or purchasing genetic information; requesting or requiring a genetic testing (with some exceptions); establishing rules for eligibility based on genetic information; adjusting premium or contribution amounts based on genetic information; or imposing a pre-existing condition exclusion based on genetic information. An insurer may request that an individual or a family member undergo a genetic test for research that complies with the Common Rule. Signed by the Governor July 7, 2009.

Maine Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Research Enacted

This bill prohibits carriers of hospital, health or dental insurance from discriminating based on genetic information, refusal to submit to a genetic test or to make available the results of a genetic test, or on the basis that an individual or dependent received a genetic test or genetic counseling. A carrier may request but not require a genetic test pursuant to the Common Rule, or equivalent federal regulations and any applicable state or local laws, rules or regulations for the protection of human subjects in research and in compliance with specified conditions. Other provisions limit the ability of carriers to request, require or purchase a genetic information for certain purposes. Signed by the Governor and Public Law as of June 3, 2009.

Maryland Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill repeals an exemption for disability insurance under the state genetic nondiscrimination law and amends the definition of genetic information used in the health_insurance_nondiscrimination law. Measure failed.

Maryland Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill provides an individual with a right to civil if the state genetic nondiscrimination insurance statutes are violated. Measure failed.

Maryland Privacy Died

This bill restricts access to, use of and retention of DNA samples and disclosure of DNA test results without consent with some exceptions. The bill also provides personal property rights to DNA samples and DNA test results. The bill requires the health department to develop a uniform written informed consent form. Civil and criminal penalties are set forth, and individuals whose rights are violated may bring civil action. Measure failed.

Maryland 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 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 Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill repeals an exemption for disability insurance under the state genetic nondiscrimination law and amends the definition of genetic information used in the health_insurance_nondiscrimination law. Measure failed.

Maryland Privacy Died

This bill restricts access to, use of and retention of DNA samples and disclosure of DNA test results without consent with some exemptions. The bill also provides personal property rights to DNA samples and DNA test results and requires the health department to develop a uniform written informed consent form. Penalties are set forth for violations. Measure failed.

Maryland Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill provides an individual with a right to civil if the state genetic nondiscrimination insurance statutes are violated. Measure failed.

Massachusetts Health Insurance Coverage Died

This bill requires individual accident and sickness policies, individual and group hospital service plans, the group insurance commissionplan for active and retired employees, and individual or group medical service agreement and health maintenance contract to provide benefits on a nondiscrminatory basis for diagnosis and treatment of autism. Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders is defined to include genetic testing. Accompanied a new draft 2010 H. 4935, which was enacted.

Michigan Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Research Died

This bill applies to insurers that provide Medicare supplement policies or certificates only. Denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of insurance, including pre-existing condition exclusions, on the basis of genetic information is prohibited. These insurers of these policies or certificates may not (1) discriminate with respect to pricing on the basis of genetic information, (2) request or require an individual or family member to undergo a genetic test (with an exception regarding requesting a test), or (3) use the manifestation of disease in an individual as genetic information about another group members and to further increase premiums for the group. Insurers may request a genetic test from an individual or family member only if the request is pursuant to research that applies to the Common Rule and other criteria are met. Measure failed.

Michigan Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Research Enacted

This bill applies to insurers that provide Medicare supplement policies or certificates only. Denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of insurance, including pre-existing condition exclusions, on the basis of genetic information is prohibited. These insurers of these policies or certificates may not (1) discriminate with respect to pricing on the basis of genetic information, (2) request or require an individual or family member to undergo a genetic test (with an exception regarding requesting a test), or (3) use the manifestation of disease in an individual as genetic information about another group members and to further increase premiums for the group. Insurers may request a genetic test from an individual or family member only if the request is pursuant to research that applies to the Common Rule and other criteria are met. Approved by the Governor December 31, 2009.

Minnesota Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Died

This bill excludes the health department's collection, use, storage and dissemination of genetic information and blood specimens for testing infants for heritable and congenital disorders from the law governing genetic information collected by a government entity. The bill also requires that parents are provided information about how specimens may be used and allows parents to opt out of public health studies or research. Measure failed.

Minnesota Privacy Died

This bill adds third generation pedigrees to health data protections that apply to the state health department. This bill also requires government entities to obtain written informed consent to collect genetic information and human biological specimens. Consent must include the purpose for collection, the length of retention, and any dissemination outside the organization that will occur. Measure failed.

Minnesota Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Research Enacted

This bill applies to insurers that provide Medicare supplement policies or certificates only. Denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of insurance, including pre-existing condition exclusions, on the basis of genetic information is prohibited. These insurers of these policies or certificates may not (1) discriminate with respect to pricing on the basis of genetic information, (2) request or require an individual or family member to undergo a genetic test (with an exception regarding requesting a test), or (3) use the manifestation of disease in an individual as genetic information about another group members and to further increase premiums for the group. Insurers may request a genetic test from an individual or family member only if the request is pursuant to research that applies to the Common Rule and other criteria are met. Approved by the governor May 22, 2009.

Minnesota Privacy Died

This bill amends the definition of genetic information and creates a new section of the state genetic privacy law to separate the provisions that apply to government entities versus any person. The requirements imposed on government entities and any person with respect to written informed consent and appropriate use of genetic information are identical. Measure failed.

Minnesota Privacy, Research Died

This bill creates personal property rights human biological specimens, defined as tissues, organs and body parts from which DNA may be isolated and requires written informed consent for the use of biological specimens in medical or genetic research. Consent forms must provide at least three options, including consent for a specific research project, consent for future research projects that are yet undefined, or consent for future research projects that are yet undefined, contingent on the research entity returning to seek specific written informed consent if the project is or could be considered controversial. The bill allows limited use of biological specimens for the calibration of laboratory equipment. Measure failed.

Minnesota Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill adds supplemental Medicare policies to health insurance plans covered under the state genetic_discrimination Act. HF 1853, which was approved by the Governor, was substituted for this bill.

Mississippi Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill creates the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance Act, which prohibits health benefits plans from denying, refusing or canceling health insurance benefits or coverage on the basis of genetic information or a request or receipt of genetic services. The bill also prohibits health benefit plan insurers from requesting or requiring a genetic test and from disclosing genetic information without prior written authorization. Penalties for violations are set forth. 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. 

  • 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: September 14, 2023