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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 Privacy Died

This bill sets forth privacy protections for personally identifiable information collected by businesses. Personally identifiable information includes biometric data such as DNA. Died.

New York Health Insurance Coverage Died

The bill requires accident and health insurance policies to cover the cost of genetic testing for people with a family history of cancer when the attending physician determines the person has a significant risk of cancer. Died.

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.

Virginia Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill prohibits the establishment of rules for eligibility or continued eligibility based on a health status-related factor, including genetic information, in Virginia share health insurance policies. This bill also prohibits pre-existing condition exclusions in these policies based on genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis of a condition related to such information. Measure failed.

Arizona Privacy Died

Allows the release of genetic testing and information derived from genetic testing to the following, if the necessary requirements are met: an individual or entity that provides services to a health care provider or clinical laboratory, a statewide health information exchange, the health insurance carrier of the person tested, a nationally recognized accreditation organization, a health professional licensing board in the state, and an entity that is responsible for the payment of a health care provider charges. Died.

Florida Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits life insurers and long-term care insurers from canceling, limiting, or denying coverage, or establishing differentials in premium rates, based on genetic information, if there is no diagnosis of a condition related to the genetic information. The bill also prohibits these insurers from requiring or soliciting genetic information, using genetic test results, or considering a person�s decisions or actions relating to genetic testing for any insurance purpose. 3/10/2018 Died in Rules.

Kansas Privacy Died

The state board, the department of education, a unified school district or local education agency may not provide any personally identifiable information of any student or teacher, including a DNA sequence, to any federal agency, any Kansas state or local agency, state or local agency outside the state of Kansas, or any other organization or entity unless under specified circumstances. Died.

Maryland Privacy Died

Amends the definition of personal information used in the state data privacy act. Personally identifiable information is defined to include an individual's DNA. 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 House - Withdrawn by Sponsor. Died.

Minnesota Privacy Died

This bill amends the definition of genetic test in the statutes regarding government data practices. Measure failed.

Montana Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Creates the Montana family and medical leave insurance fund. Applicants for coverage must provide eligibility documentation. The department may not require documentation that exceeds the right to privacy allowed under HIPAA, the ADA and GINA. Died.

New York Research Died

This bill regulates the use of human subjects for medical research and experimentation, including subjects with mental disorders and children. Measure failed.

New York Research Died

Authorizes human research in compliance with federal law. Substituted by S6488. Senate substitute signed by the Governor on 9/13/19.

Tennessee Privacy Died

Allows the recipient of an organ transplant and referral hospital to examine all genetic records of the donor or prospective donor unless prohibited by any other law. Died.

West Virginia Privacy Died

Creates a Longitudinal Data System, which links child care, student and workforce unit record data, and governing board of the system. The governing board must prohibit the collection of confidential information, which includes genetic information. Died.

New York Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill prohibits discrimination based on genetic characteristics in life and disability insurance. Measure failed.

New York Privacy Died

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. Died.

Texas Other Topics Died

Proposes a Constitutional Amendment providing for the recognition of equal rights of all people. States that equality under the law may not be denied or abridged based on numerous factors, including genetic information. Died.

Wisconsin Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Permits the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) or a person who has been discriminated against or subjected to unfair honesty or genetic testing to bring an action in circuit court to recover compensatory and punitive damages caused by the act of discrimination or unfair honesty or genetic testing after the completion of all administrative proceedings before DWD and the Labor and Industry Review Commission concerning the violation. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.

Connecticut Other Topics Died

Establishes a task force to require a study of the link between the abnormal genes associated with breast and ovarian cancers and the nerve death associated with Alzheimer's disease to improve diagnosis, risk assessment and treatment of such disease. Died.

Illinois Privacy Died

Amends the Genetic Information privacy Act. Makes a technical change in a section concerning the short title. Died.

Maryland Other Topics, Privacy Died

Requires the Motor Vehicle Administration to offer to an applicant for a driver's license, identification card, or moped operator's permit the opportunity to upgrade to an enhanced identification document. The enhanced ID will be embedded with memory and a microprocessor chip that stores biometric identifiers, which may include DNA. Died.

Massachusetts Privacy Died

Prohibits an agency, executive office, department, board, commission, bureau, division or authority of the commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof, or any agent, contractor or subcontractor thereof, from acquiring, possessing, accessing or using any biometric surveillance system or any information derived from a biometric surveillance system operated by another entity. Allows certain exceptions such as the use of facial recognition technology by the registrar or motor vehicles. Biometric data is defined to include deoxyribonucleic acid. 7/14/20 Passed to be engrossed. Reprinted as amended, see S2820. Died.

Missouri Privacy Died

This bill requires a state agency or education institution to obtain written consent from parents or eligible students before collecting any certain data points, including a biometric record (defined to include DNA). Died.

New Jersey Other Topics Died

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

New York Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits clients and modeling agencies from subjecting a model to harassment based on various characteristics, including predisposing genetic characteristics, where such harassment has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's provision of modeling services by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Died.

Rhode Island Privacy Died

Enacts the Consumer Protection privacy Act. Establishes consumer protections pertaining to the collection and use of personal information, including an individual's DNA, by businesses. Died.

Virginia Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Requires the legislative branch of the Commonwealth to develop a policy on workplace harassment. Workplace harassment is defined as any unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct that either denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward a person on the basis of various factors, including genetics. Died.

California Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires every health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract to provide coverage for genetic testing for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) under certain circumstances. Died.

Florida Other Topics, Privacy Died

This bill prohibits DNA analysis and disclosure of DNA analysis results without authorization; prohibits the collection or retention of a DNA sample of another person without authorization for specified purposes; prohibits specified DNA analysis and disclosure of DNA analysis results without authorization, etc.

Kentucky Privacy Died

Establishes the parent's bill of rights. Requirements set forth in the bill include parental written consent before any record of a minor child's blood or DNA is made, shared or stored unless required by law or court order. Died.

Maryland Other Topics Died

Prohibits a hospital or related institution from discriminating in admitting or providing care for an individual based on various factors, including genetic information. Died.

Massachusetts Research Died

This bill states that any public health surveillance activity which is also research is subject to the requirements for research using human subjects. Died.

Minnesota Privacy Died

Businesses must conduct risk assessments of processing activities that involve sensitive consumer data, including genetic data. Died.

New Hampshire Privacy Died

Declares that an individual's genetic information and DNA sample are the property of the individual. Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 05/05/2016.

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. Died.

Mississippi Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill prohibits group health benefit plans from imposing pre-existing condition exclusions based on genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis. Measure failed.

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 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.

North Carolina Other Topics Died

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

Utah Privacy Died

Provides consumers the right to access, correct, and delete certain personal data. Gives consumers the right to opt out of the collection and use of personal data for certain purposes. Requires certain businesses that control and process personal data of consumers to: safeguard personal data; provide clear information to consumers regarding how the consumer's personal data are used; accept consumer requests to exercise the consumer's rights under this bill; comply with a consumer's request to exercise the consumer's rights under this bill; and maintain data protection assessments. Creates a process for a consumer to submit requests and appeal a business's decision regarding the business's processing of the consumer's personal data. Allows the Division of Consumer Protection to accept and investigate consumer complaints regarding the processing of personal data. Creates a right for a consumer to know what personal information a business collects, how the business uses the personal information, and whether the business sells the personal information. Allows a consumer to require a business to delete personal information, with
exceptions, and direct a business that sells personal information to stop selling the consumer's personal information. 3/5/2021 Senate Filed. Died.

Wisconsin Privacy Died

Requires controllers of consumers' personal data to provide a consumer with copies of the consumer's personal data processed by the controller. Personal data includes genetic information. 4/1/2020 Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.

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.

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.

Missouri Research, Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens Died

Amends statute section pertaining to the release of residual newborn screening specimens for anonymous scientific study. Requires consent of parent or legal guardian be obtained for such release at the time of specimen collection. 2/23/2021 - House public hearing completed. 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 York Privacy Died

Requires biometric identifies and information to be treated in a manner similar to confidential and sensitive information such as a genetic marker or genetic testing information. Died.

Displaying 151 - 200 of 1160

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