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.
State | Primary Link | Topic(s) | Bill Status | Summary Sort descending |
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Maryland | 2019 State Bills Maryland 2019 SB 786 | Privacy | Died | A business that owns or licenses computerized data that includes personal information such as genetic information of an individual must conduct a reasonable and prompt investigation upon the breach of the security of a system. April 3, 2019 Unfavorable Report by Finance. |
Maryland | 2019 State Bills Maryland 2019 HB 1127 | Privacy | Died | A business that owns or licenses computerized data that includes personal information such as genetic information of an individual must conduct a reasonable and prompt investigation upon the breach of the security of a system. Died. |
Maine | State StatuteMaine: MRS 24A 2159-C and 24A 6981 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination, Research | Statute | A carrier that issues individual or group hospital, health or dental insurance and the Dirigo Health Self-administered Plan may not discriminate against an individual or eligible dependent on the basis of genetic information, the refusal to submit to a genetic test, refusal to make available the results of a genetic test, or based on the receipt of a genetic test or genetic counseling. A carrier may request, but not require, that an individual undergo a genetic test if the request is made pursuant to research that complies with the Common Rule and other specified criteria are met. Life, credit life, disability, long-term care, accidental injury, specified disease, hospital indemnity or credit accident insurers or an annuity may not (1) discriminate unfairly, which includes the use of genetic test results in a manner that is not reasonably related to anticipated claims experience, or (2) request, require, purchase or use information obtained from a direct-to-consumer genetic test without consent of the individual tested. |
California | 2021 State Bills California 2021 AB 17 | Other Topics | Died | A certified peace officer must have their certificate suspended or revoked, and an applicant must have their application for a certificate denied, upon a determination that the peace officer or applicant meets certain conditions. Requires the development of a definition of �serious misconduct," which will serve as the criteria to be considered for suspension or revocation of a certificate. This definition must include certain examples of serious misconduct such as bias in the performance of a peace officer or custodial officer�s duties, including, but not limited to, verbal statements, writings, online posts, recordings, and gestures involving prejudice or discrimination against a person on the basis of genetic information. Carries over to 2022. |
California | 2021 State Bills California 2021 AB 60 | Other Topics | Died | A certified peace officer must have their certificate suspended or revoked, and an applicant must have their application for a certificate denied, upon a determination that the peace officer or applicant meets certain conditions. Requires the development of a definition of �serious misconduct," which will serve as the criteria to be considered for suspension or revocation of a certificate. This definition must include certain examples of serious misconduct such as bias in the performance of a peace officer or custodial officer�s duties, including, but not limited to, verbal statements, writings, online posts, recordings, and gestures involving prejudice or discrimination against a person on the basis of genetic information. Carries over to 2022. |
Illinois | 2019 State Bills Illinois 2019 HB 2189 | Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination | Enacted | A company providing direct-to-consumer commercial genetic testing is prohibited from sharing genetic test information or other personally identifiable information about a consumer with any health or life insurance company without written consent from the consumer. Direct-to-consumer genetic tests are added to the definition of genetic test under the Genetic Information privacy Act. 7/26/2019 Public Act. Effective January 1, 2020. |
Illinois | State StatuteIllinois: 215 ILCS 97/20 and 97/25 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group health_insurance_coverage may not impose a pre-existing condition exclusion based on genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis or establish rules for eligibility or continued eligibility based on a health status-related factor, including genetic information. |
New Jersey | State StatuteNew Jersey: NJS 17B-27-54, 17B-27-57 17B-27-64, 17B:27A-2 and 17B:… | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A group health plan may not establish rules for eligibility or continued eligibility based on health status-related factors, including genetic information, or impose a pre-existing condition exclusion based on genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis. Health status-related factor also is defined to include genetic information applicable to sections 1 to 15 of chapter 17B:27A, and the definition of pre-existing condition excludes genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis under provisions applicable to small employer health benefit plans. |
Montana | State StatuteMontana: MCA 33-22-514 and 33-22-526 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group health_insurance_coverage may not impose a pre-existing condition exclusion based on genetic information. A group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group health_insurance_coverage may not establish rules for eligibility or continued eligibility of any individual to enroll under the terms of the group health plan based on health status-related factors, including genetic information. |
Louisiana | State StatuteLouisiana: LRS 22:1061 and1063 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group health_insurance_coverage may not use genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis as the basis for a pre-existing condition exclusion or establish rules for eligibility or continued eligibility based on a health status-related factor, including genetic information. |
West Virginia | State StatuteWest Virginia: WVC 33-15-2a, 33-16-1a, and 33-16-3k | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health benefit plan issued in connection with a group health plan may not impose a pre-existing condition exclusion based on genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis. A health status-related factor is defined to include genetic information as defined in section of the statutes pertaining to individual group accident and sickness insurance. |
Nebraska | State StatuteNebraska: NRS 44-6910 et seq. | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health benefit plan may not treat genetic information as a pre-existing condition in the absence of a diagnosis. A health carrier may not establish rules for eligibility and continued eligibility of any individual to enroll under the terms of the health benefit plan based on a health status-related factor, including genetic information. |
Oregon | 2017 State Bills Oregon 2017 HB 2232 | Health Insurance Coverage | Died | A health benefit plan offered in Oregon must provide coverage for BRCA testing, if indicated. Died. |
Oregon | 2017 State Bills Oregon 2017 HB 3391 | Health Insurance Coverage | Enacted | A health benefit plan offered in Oregon must provide coverage for screening to determine whether counseling about BRCA testing is indicated. Governor signed. Effective 8/15/2017. |
California | 2014 State Bills California 2014 Senate Bill 1304 | Employment Nondiscrimination | Enacted | A health benefit plan offered to a small employer, as defined in Section 1304(b) of PPACA and in Section 10753, may not establish rules for eligibility, including continued eligibility, of an individual, or dependent of an individual, to enroll under the terms of the plan based on health status-related factors, including genetic information. Approved by the Governor June 28, 2014. |
New Mexico | State StatuteNew Mexico: NMSA 59A-23C-5.1, 59A-23C-7.1, 59A-23E-2, 59A-23E-11, … | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health benefit plan that is offered by a carrier or an approved health plan offered to a small employer and plans subject to the Health Insurance Portability Act may not impose a pre-existing condition exclusion based on genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis. A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group health_insurance_coverage may not establish rules for eligibility or continued eligibility based a health status-related factor, including genetic information. A group health benefits plan or a health insurance issuer that offers group health_insurance_coverage in connection with a group health benefits plan from adjusting premiums or contribution amounts for the group covered under the plan on the basis of genetic information. Under the Small Group Rate and Renewability Act, provisions allowing a carrier to use health status in establishing the amount an employer may be charged for coverage under a group health plan exclude genetic information from the definition of health status. |
North Carolina | State StatuteNorth Carolina: NCGA 58-3-215, 58-51-45, 58-51-95, 58-65-70, 58-68… | 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. |
Washington | State StatuteWashington: RCW 70.02.010 et seq. | Privacy, Research | Statute | A health care provider, an individual who assists a health care provider in the delivery of health care, or an agent and employee of a health care provider may not disclose health care information, including a patient's deoxyribonucleic acid and identified sequence of chemical base pairs, about a patient to any other person without the patient's written authorization. A health care provider may disclose health care information to researchers if the health care provider or health care facility obtains the informed consent for the use of the patient's health care information for research purposes. |
Arizona | State StatuteArizona: ARS 20-1051 et seq. | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health care services organization may not cancel an enrollee's evidence of coverage issued on a group basis because of criteria specified in the statutes, including such health status-related factors. Genetic information is a health status-related factor. |
Oklahoma | 2013 State Bills Oklahoma 2013 HB 1342 | 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. |
Nebraska | State StatuteNebraska: NRS 44-787 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health carrier that decides to discontinue offering a particular type of individual policy or contract in the state and offer another option of coverage must act uniformly without regard to health status-related factors related to any covered individual, including genetic information. A health carrier offering a network health plan must terminate coverage uniformly, as permitted, without regard to health status-related factors, including genetic information. |
Iowa | State StatuteIowa: IC 514J.101 et seq. | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health carrier to notify a covered person of the right to request an external review and include appropriate statements and information in the written notice of a final adverse decision. Health carriers also must include with the notice an authorization form or other document developed by the state that complies with the federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. |
South Dakota | State StatuteSouth Dakota: SDCL 58-1-24, 58-1-25, 58-17-84, 58-18-45, 58-18-87,… | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination, Privacy | Statute | A health carrier, long-term care insurer or life insurer from requiring or requesting an individual or his/her blood relative to take a genetic test or consider the fact that a genetic test was refused in determining eligibility for coverage, establishing premiums, limiting coverage, renewing coverage, or any other underwriting decision in connection with the offer, sale, or renewal of health insurance. The insurance director may promulgate rules concerning genetic information and group health benefit plans. In individual, group and blanket health insurance plans, genetic information may not be treated as a pre-existing condition in the absence of a diagnosis. Small employer carriers may not establish rules for eligibility or continued eligibility based on a health status-related factor, including genetic information. Prohibits any company providing genetic testing directly to a consumer from sharing any genetic test, genetic information, or other personally identifiable information of a consumer with any health carrier, life insurer, or long-term care insurer without written consent from the consumer. A company that provides genetic testing may communicate with a health carrier for the purposes of payment, coordination of medical treatment, or patient care so long as such communication is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and only used for the purposes permitted. |
Missouri | State StatuteMissouri: MRS 376.450, 376.451, 379.930, and 379.940 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health insurance issuer offering group health_insurance_coverage may not establish rules for eligibility or continued eligibility of any individual to enroll under the terms of the group health plan based on health status-related factors, including genetic information, or impose a pre-existing condition exclusion based on genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis. A small employer carrier may apply reasonable criteria in determining whether to accept a small employer into a class of business, provided that the criteria are not based on a health status-related factor, including genetic information. |
Montana | 2013 State Bills Montana 2013 SB 383 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Died | A health insurance issuer offering individual health_insurance_coverage in this state may not establish rules for eligibility or adjust premiums for any individual or individual's dependent to enroll in individual health_insurance_coverage based on genetic information. Individual health insurance issuers also may not impose any preexisting condition exclusion on the basis of genetic information or request or require an individual or a family member of an individual to undergo a genetic test. Died in Standing Committee. |
California | 2021 State Bills California 2021 AB 1520 | Health Insurance Coverage | Died | A health insurance policy that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2022, may not apply a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance to coverage for screening services for prostate cancer for an insured who meets certain criteria. A person is 40 years of age or older and who is high risk, as determined by the attending or treating health care provider meets the criteria. High risk includes, but is not limited to, a person with a prostate who is Black, has a family history of prostate cancer, has a genetic predisposition to prostate cancer, or is a veteran. Carries over to 2022. |
New Hampshire | State StatuteNew Hampshire: NHS 141-H:1, 141-H:4, and 141:H-6 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health insurer in connection with providing health insurance may not (1) require or request an individual or family member to undergo genetic testing, whether a test was taken or the results of the testing, (2) condition the provision of health_insurance_coverage or health care benefits on whether an individual or family member has undergone genetic testing or the results of the testing, or (3) consider in the determination of rates or any other aspect of health_insurance_coverage or benefits whether an individual or family member has undergone genetic testing or the results of the testing. The statutes establish a right to civil action by aggrieved individuals. |
Ohio | State StatuteOhio: ORC 1751.65 | 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. |
Nevada | State StatuteNevada: NRS 689A.417, 689A.545, 689A.585, 689B.420, 689B.450, 689B… | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health maintenance organization, a carrier serving small employers, a corporation that provides health insurance, individual health insurers and group health insurers may not (1) require an insured person or family member to take a genetic test or disclose whether one has been taken or (2) determine the rates or any other aspect of the coverage or benefits based on genetic information or whether the insured person or member of his family has taken a genetic test. These entities may not establish rules of eligibility based on a health status-related factor, including genetic information, or impose a pre-existing condition exclusion based on genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis. The provisions to not apply to any of the above entities in terms of the issuance of a policy of health insurance that provides coverage for long-term care or disability income. Insurers or organizations that provide health coverage pursuant to sections 689A, 689B, 689C, 695A, 695B, 695C, 695D, and 695F must comply with the federal law, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. |
Massachusetts | State StatuteMassachusetts: MGL 175 108H, 176A 3B, 176B 5B, 176G 24, 176I 4A | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health maintenance organization, company, insurance broker, medical service corporation, non-profit hospital service corporation or preferred provider organization may not cancel, refuse to issue or renew, or make any distinction or discrimination in the amount of payment of premium or rates charged, in the length of coverage or in any of the terms and conditions based on genetic information. These entities may not require genetic tests or private genetic information. |
Minnesota | State StatuteMinnesota: MS 72A.139 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health plan company in determining eligibility for coverage, establishing premiums, limiting coverage, renewing coverage, or any other underwriting decision may not (1) require or request an individual or his or her blood relative to take a genetic test, (2) make any inquiry about a genetic test or what the results of any such test were, or (3) take into consideration the fact that a genetic test was taken or refused or the results of such a test. A life insurance company or fraternal benefit society requiring a genetic test for the purpose of determining insurability for life insurance must obtain informed written consent. A violation is subject to the investigative and enforcement authority of the insurance commissioner. |
Delaware | State StatuteDelaware: Del. Code 18 3571M, 3572, 3602, 3611, and 7202 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A health status-related factor is defined to include genetic information with respect to large group health plans, individual health plans and small employer health insurance. Group health insurers may not establish rules for eligibility of an individual to enroll based on a health status related factor. Individual health insurers may not establish rules for eligibility of an individual to enroll under the terms of the coverage based on a health status-related factor. |
Maryland | 2019 State Bills Maryland 2019 HB 856 | Other Topics | Died | A hospital or related institution may not discriminate in admitting or providing personal care based on genetic information. Died. |
Maryland | 2019 State Bills Maryland 2019 SB 953 | Other Topics | Died | A hospital or related institution may not discriminate in admitting or providing personal care based on genetic information. Died. |
Minnesota | 2017 State Bills Minnesota 2017 HF 887 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Died | A managed care organization that contracts with the health commissioner cannot discriminate or use any policy that has the effect of discriminating against people on the basis of genetic information. Died. |
Iowa | 2021 State Bills Iowa 2021 HF 55 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination | Pending | A participating healthcare provider or participating care coordinators may not refuse to provide health care services to a member of the Health Iowa Program on the basis of various characteristics, including genetic information. The board for the Health Iowa Program must adopt rules to promote nondiscrimination with respect to members and health care providers on the basis of various factors, including genetic information. Carries over to 2022 session. |
New Hampshire | State StatuteNew Hampshire: NHS 141-H:1,141-H:5, and 141:H-6 | Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A person in the business of providing life, disability income, or long-term care insurance who obtains information about genetic testing of an individual or a family member may not use that information in writing a type of insurance coverage other than life, disability income, or long-term care insurance. An aggrieved individual may bring a civil action. |
New Jersey | State StatuteNew Jersey: NJS 10:5-43 et seq. | Privacy, Research | Statute | A person may not (1) obtain genetic information from an individual or from an individual's DNA sample or (2) retain an individuals genetic information without prior informed consent with some exceptions, including for anonymous research where the identity of the subject will not be released. A DNA sample from an individual who is the subject of a research project must be destroyed promptly upon completion of the project or withdrawal of the individual from the project unless consent to retain the sample is provided. Additional provisions address retention and disclosure. The statutes set forth civil and criminal penalties for violations. |
Vermont | State StatuteVermont: VSA 18 9331 et seq. | Privacy, Research | Statute | A person may not be required to undergo genetic testing with some exceptions. Genetic testing may not be performed on any individual or any bodily materials be released for purposes of genetic testing without prior written authorization and informed consent except for (1) medical research where the identity of the subject is unknown, (2) if the research is conducted with anonymized medical information, where individual identifiers are encrypted or encoded, and the identity of the individual is not disclosed, or (3) if the identity of the individual is known, where standards of protection are equal to those contained in regulations promulgated by the federal Office for Protection from research Risk (OPRR). |
Arizona | State StatuteArizona: ARS 20-448.02 | Privacy | Statute | A person may not order or require the performance of a genetic test without written informed consent. Genetic test results may not be disclosed without the express consent of the subject of the test or the person authorized to consent for that person. |
New Jersey | 2017 State Bills New Jersey 2017 S2909 | 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. |
Virginia | State StatuteVirginia: Code of Va. 38.2-508.4 and 38.2-613 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Privacy | Statute | A person proposing to issue, re-issue, or renew accident and sickness insurance, excluding disability income insurance, issued by any insurer providing hospital, medical and surgical or major medical coverage on an expense incurred basis, a corporation providing a health services plan, or an HMO providing a health care plan may not on the basis of any genetic information or a request for genetic services (1) terminate, restrict, limit, or otherwise apply conditions to coverage of an individual or restrict the sale to an individual, (2) cancel or refuse to renew the coverage of an individual, (3) exclude an individual from coverage, (4) impose a waiting period, (5) require inclusion of a rider that excludes coverage for certain benefits and services, (6) establish differentials in premium rates for coverage, or (7) disclose any genetic information about an individual or his/her family member collected or received in connection with any insurance transaction unless the disclosure is made with the written authorization of the individual. |
North Dakota | State StatuteNorth Dakota: NDCC 25-17-07 | 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. |
Maryland | 2019 State Bills Maryland 2019 SB 495 | Other Topics | Enacted | A person who directly or indirectly advertises or solicits business for diagnostic laboratory tests or procedures is a covered entity under HIPAA and must make certain disclosures. The law does not apply to germline genetic or genomic testing for the analysis, diagnosis or prediction of human disease. May 13, 2019 Approved by the Governor - Chapter 413. Effective October 1, 2019. |
Maryland | State StatuteMaryland: Md. Health 17�215 | Other Topics | Statute | A person who directly or indirectly advertises or solicits business for diagnostic laboratory tests or procedures is a covered entity under HIPAA and must make certain disclosures. The law does not apply to germline genetic or genomic testing for the analysis, diagnosis or prediction of human disease. |
Oklahoma | State StatuteOklahoma: OS 36-3614.3 | Privacy | Statute | A person who maintains genetic information may not be compelled to disclose the information except under specified circumstances. |
California | State StatuteCalifornia: Cal. Civil Code 56.17 | Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Privacy | Statute | A person who negligently or willfully discloses genetic test results in an individuals medical records who is applying for or enrolled in a health care service plan, except with written authorization in the format specified, is subject to fines as set forth in the statutes. |
California | State StatuteCalifornia: Cal. Civil Code 56.265 | Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination | Statute | A person who underwrites or sells an annuity contract or contracts insuring, guaranteeing, or indemnifying against loss, harm, damage, illness, disability, or death, and any affiliate of that person or entity, shall not disclose individually identifiable information concerning the medical or genetic history of a customer for use with regard to granting credit. |
Washington | State StatuteWashington: RCW 49.44.180 | Employment Nondiscrimination | Statute | A person, firm, corporation, or the state of Washington, its political subdivisions, or municipal corporations may not require any employee or prospective employee to submit genetic information or submit to screening for genetic information as a condition of employment or continued employment. |
North Carolina | State StatuteNorth Carolina: NCGA 95-28.1 and 95-28.1A | 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. |
Last updated: February 8, 2024