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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.

Search

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

A person may not refuse to refer a job seeker for employment or to discriminate against a job seeker in compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment to which the job seeker is referred because of certain characteristics, including genetic information. Died.

New York Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires health insurance policies to cover comprehensive genetic screening for breast, ovarian, prostate, colon and lung cancers, if recommended by a board-certified geneticist or board-certified genetic counselor. Died.

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.

Vermont Other Topics, Privacy Died

Protects consumer privacy by requiring that a business that collects genetic data from a Vermont consumer to provide ancestry or similar information protects the data and keeps it confidential. Carries over to 2022.

New York Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires health insurance policies to cover comprehensive genetic screening for breast, ovarian, prostate, colon and lung cancers. Died.

Oklahoma Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits discrimination in the selection of job applications, interviewing of job applicants, hiring of job applicants, firing of employees, treatment of employees, or payment of wages on the basis of genetic information. Died.

Virginia Privacy Died

This bill regulates the collection and maintenance of personally identifiable information, including DNA, by education agencies. Died.

California Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Requires any contracting entity that contracts with independent contractors to provide services to, on behalf of, or through the contracting entity on a freelance or per-gig basis, or virtual platform that enables third parties, including independent contractors, to transact with one another for services, or through which independent contractors can market, promote, or advertise their services to third parties, to maintain a written policy against the discrimination of an independent contractor on the basis of genetic information and other factors. Summary based on version of bill as amended on 5/6/2020 when all language from prior introduced version of bill was stricken. Died.

Hawaii Employment Nondiscrimination, Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Privacy Died

The bill requires contractors and prospective contractors with the state or counties to comply with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. Died.

Maine Privacy Died

Clarifies that certain personal information of municipal employees is confidential and a record or portion of a record containing that information in the possession of a municipal government is not a public record. Personal information includes genetic information. Died.

Maryland Privacy Died

Requires certain businesses that collect a consumer's personal information to provide certain clear and conspicuous notices to the consumer at or before the point of collection. The bill defines biometric information to include an individual's DNA. In the Senate - First Reading Senate Rules. Died.

Minnesota Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Establishes the MinnesotaCare program. A managed care organization that contracts with the Commissioner as part of the program may not discriminate or use any policy that has the effect of discriminating against people on the basis of genetic information. Died.

Nevada Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill requires health insurers to comply with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. Measure failed.

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 insurers and employers. Measure failed.

New York Health Insurance Coverage Died

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

West Virginia Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires health_insurance_coverage of a comprehensive ultrasound screening if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman�s physician or advanced practice nurse. To House Banking and Insurance 02/23/21. Died.

Alabama Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits health benefit plans, life insurers, and long term care insurers from (1) using an individual's genetic information to deny him or her insurance or to establish differentials in premium rates, or (2) requiring or soliciting genetic information, using genetic test results, or considering an individual's decisions or actions relating to genetic testing in any manner for insurance purposes. Died.

Florida Health Insurance Coverage Died

This bill requires individual and group health insurers to provide benefits or coverage for periodic colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests for individuals over 50 and for individuals under 50 who are considered high risk. Definition of high risk includes individuals who, because of the presence of recognized genetic markers, face a higher than normal risk of colorectal cancer. Measure failed.

Indiana Research, Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Died

Amends the state's newborn screening statute. The bill requires consent to release newborn's residual blood specimen for epidemiological survey and research. Died.

Maryland Privacy Died

Requires certain state and local governmental units to secure by encryption personal information of an individual that the unit has collected as computerized data. Personal information includes a genetic print or image. Died.

Massachusetts Privacy Died

Amends data security protections to include biometric information, which is defined to include genetic information. 2/13/2020 In senate. Accompanied a study order. Died.

Mississippi Privacy Died

Enacts the Consumer privacy Act. Provides certain rights to consumers such as the right to know the categories and specific pieces of personal information collected and the right to require a business to delete personal information. Personal information is defined to include biometric information such as DNA sequences. 02/05 (H) Died In Committee

New Jersey Other Topics Died

Prohibits discrimination in health programs or activities based on certain factors, including genetic information. Died.

Michigan Privacy Died

Amends the state genetic privacy law. Changes in introduced version of bill only involve unsubstantial changes in wording of text. Died.

Missouri Privacy Died

Prohibits school districts from collecting biometric information on any student without the express written consent of the student�s parent or legal guardian. Biometric information is defined to include a DNA sequence and newborn screening information. Died.

New Jersey Privacy Died

Prohibits a teaching staff member employed by a board of education from inputting the individually identifiable health information of a student or members of a student�s family, or conversations concerning such information, into a third party software application managed by an entity that engages in partisan political activity. The bill defines individually identifiable health information as any information, including genetic or vaccination information, relating to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual that either identifies the individual or could reasonably be used to identify the individual. 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 Health Insurance Coverage Died

Existing law requires individual and group health insurers to cover mammograms. This bill requires that Coverage for mammograms required in subsection (A)(1) must include benefits for comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on: (a) the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology; or (b) if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice registered nurse. Died.

Washington Other Topics Died

Restricts genome editing of human embryos. Died.

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.

Idaho Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

The bill amends the state genetic nondiscrimination law by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of genetic information or a genetic test in the issuance of coverage, or the fixing of rates, terms or conditions, for any policy or contract of hospital or medical insurance or any health benefit plan. 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.

Massachusetts Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires health_insurance_coverage of screening breast ultrasounds and breast MRI, in addition to mammograms, if the patient is at increased risk of cancer based on certain factors such as positive genetic testing. 7/18/2018 Accompanied a study order, see H4778.

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.

New Hampshire Privacy Died

When an individual consents to receive assistance from a health or social service agency in the state, the consent given to the initial health or social service agency to use the individual's personal information may not be transferred to or retained by any other health or social service agency, network, or entity. No health or social service agency in the state may require a individual's consent to share personal information with another health or social service agency in the state or another state as a prerequisite for such individual to receive services from such health or social service agency, including consent to share details regarding which health or social service agency the individual has received help from in the past and associated information related to that interaction. A health or social service agency must explicitly and in writing inform any individual seeking such assistance that lack of consent will not affect the individual's ability to receive health or social services from the agency and that the individual will not be otherwise penalized. Personal information is defined to include DNA. Hearing on 2/08/2021. Carries over to 2022.

New York Research Died

This bill regulates the use of human subjects for medical research and experimentation, including subjects with mental disorders and children. The bill addresses exclusion or inclusion of subjects to participate in human research based on race, ethnicity or sex; requires reporting certain information relating to the collection of data, and provides that no greater than minimal risk non-therapeutic human research may be conducted on a child without consent of a parent or guardian. Died.

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.

Texas Privacy Died

Relates to the capture and use of an individual's biometric identifiers, specimen, or genetic information by a governmental body or peace officer or by a person for commercial purposes. Died.

Wisconsin Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Addresses actions in circuit court alleging discrimination in employment, unfair honesty testing, or unfair genetic testing. 3/28/2018 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 Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Creates the Healthy Florida program to be administered by the Healthy Florida Board. Every resident of Florida is eligible and entitled to enroll under the Healthy Florida program. The program may not discriminate based on genetic information. 3/10/2018 Died in Banking and Insurance.

Kentucky Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Privacy Died

This bill prohibits the adjustment of premium or contribution amounts based on genetic information; prohibits an insurer from requesting or requiring a genetic test of a member unless made pursuant to the Common Rule, equivalent federal regulations or any applicable administrative regulation for the protection of human subjects in research; prohibits the use of genetic information for underwriting purposes; prohibits the request, requirement, or purchase of genetic information by an insurer prior to an individual's enrollment under a plan; precludes insurers from requiring genetic information for eligibility for health insurance in the individual market; and prohibits the use of genetic information for the purpose of imposing any pre-existing condition exclusion. Measure failed.

Maryland Other Topics Died

A hospital or related institution may not discriminate in admitting or providing personal care based on genetic information. Died.

California Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires a health care service plan contract or a health insurance policy that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2015, to provide coverage for genetic testing for Lynch syndrome. Died.

Florida Privacy Died

Creates the Florida privacy Protection Act. Requires certain businesses that collect consumer personal information to provide certain information to the consumer. Provides that consumers have the right to direct certain businesses not to sell their personal information. Prohibits businesses from selling the personal information of consumers younger than a specified age without express authorization from the consumer or the consumer�s parent or guardian under certain circumstances. Authorizes consumers to initiate civil actions for violations. Personal information is defined to include biometric information such as DNA. 4/28/21 Read 2nd time. Substituted CS/CS/CS/HB 969 (Died in returning Messages). Laid on Table - SJ 753.

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.

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.

Maryland Other Topics Died

Prohibits a hospital from withholding financial assistance or from denying a patient's application for financial assistance based on genetic information. Died.

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.

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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