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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
New Hampshire Genetic data storage/privacy/sharing (medicine) Approved

Relative to conditions for genetic testing.

Texas Genetic data storage/privacy/sharing (industry) Approved

Relating to an individual's genetic data, including the use of that data by certain genetic testing companies for commercial purposes and the individual's property right in DNA; authorizing a civil p...

Pennsylvania Coverage and reimbursement Approved

An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in casualty insurance, further providing for coverage for mammographic examinations and diagnost...

Montana Neonatal sequencing Approved

Revise laws related to collection of genetic material for newborn screenings.

Mississippi Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires group or individual policies, contracts or certificates of health insurance issued or renewed to cover comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts 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. 1/30/2018 Died in committee.

New Jersey Privacy Died

Makes DNA samples and genetic information resulting from DNA analysis property of the person sampled or analyzed. Died.

New York Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires accident and health insurance policies to cover the cost of genetic testing of persons with a family history of cancer. Coverage must include testing and any subsequent treatment based on the results of the test for people with a significant risk of contracting cancer. Died.

Oklahoma Other Topics Died

Prohibits unlawful housing discriminatory practices based on genetic information. Died.

Virginia Parentage law Died

Provides that
any person who knowingly gives any false information or makes any
false statements for the purpose of determining paternity is guilty
of a Class 6 felony. The bill further requires an a...

California Other Topics Died

Establishes the Commission on the State of Hate. Requires the commission to advise the Legislature, the Governor, and state agencies on, among other things, policy recommendations to promote intersocial education designed to foster mutual respect and understanding among California�s diverse population. Appointees to the commission are comprised of experts in combating hate, intolerance, and discrimination on the basis of various factors such as genetic information. Died.

Hawaii Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

The board of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund must require every health benefits plan established or contracted to include lower deductibles and co-payments for non-smokers of tobacco and other persons engaged in low risk health behaviors that are designed, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, to encourage preventative health care, promote wellness, and discourage medically unnecessary use of health care services; provided that the board consults with medical professionals to determine what should be included as low risk health behaviors. Genetic factors and pre-existing medical conditions may not be considered as a behavior when determining what constitutes low risk behavior. Died.

Maine Privacy Died

The department of education, a school administrative unit or a state agency may not collect, store, transmit or process the certain information, including DNA, from a student without the written consent of a parent or guardian of a student or an eligible student unless otherwise required or authorized by statute or rule. Died.

Maryland Other Topics Died

Alters the definition of "practice pharmacy" to include the ordering and administering of certain laboratory tests. Requires the State Board of Pharmacy, on or before January 1, 2022, to adopt regulations authorizing a pharmacist to order and administer laboratory tests, without a written, oral or electronically transmitted prescription from an authorized prescriber that measure biomarkers, including deoxyribonucleic acid. In the Senate - Hearing 3/02 at 1:00 p.m. Died.

Minnesota 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.

Nevada Research Died

This bill prescribes the requirements for surrogate decision makers to give informed consent for certain human subject research. 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 employers and insurers. Measure failed.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits hiring parties from subjecting a model to harassment based on various factors, including predisposing genetic characteristics. Died.

Texas Privacy Died

Creates a personal property right in a sample of genetic material and in the genetic information obtained as a result of a genetic test performed on an individual's sample. Died.

West Virginia Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires insurance coverage of a comprehensive ultrasound screening of breast if a woman is believed to be at increased risk of cancer based on several factors, including positive genetic testing. Died.

Alabama Privacy Died

Prohibits state agencies, local education agencies, or local education institutions from administering any student survey, assessment, analysis, evaluation, or similar instrument that solicits certain information about the student or the family of the student, including biometric records. Biometric records are defined to include a DNA sequence. Died.

Delaware Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Prohibits discrimination based upon genetic characteristics and information in the issuance or renewal of disability and long term care insurance. Insurers also must provide notice if a genetic test is required. Died.

Illinois Privacy Died

Amends the Genetic Information privacy Act. Requires informed consent for a person or business to disclose an individual's genetic information to third parties specifically for marketing, advertising, or sales purposes. Died.

Maryland Other Topics Died

Removes the ban on directly or indirectly advertising for or soliciting business for any medical laboratory, regardless of location, from anyone except a physician, hospital, medical laboratory, clinic, clinical installation, or other medical care facility. Died.

Massachusetts Employment Nondiscrimination Died

Adds new section to unlawful employment practices statute. Prohibits any person whose business includes sponsoring, guaranteeing or granting funds or engaging in investment transactions from discriminating against any person in the sponsoring, guaranteeing or granting of funds or making available such funds, because of genetic information and other factors. 11/16/2020 Accompanied a study order, see S2953. Died.

Michigan Privacy Died

This bill requires the Department of Community Health to develop a model written, informed consent form for genetic testing. Health care professionals must have test subjects complete the form prior to ordering genetic testing. Died.

Missouri Privacy Died

Requires state education agencies to obtain parental consent to collect biometric records from parents, K-12 students or through data sharing agreements with any other entity. Biometric records are defined to include DNA sequences. Died.

New Jersey Employment Nondiscrimination, Other Topics Died

Requires adoption of and training on anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy by certain campaign committees. Protected category includes genetic information. Died.

New York Other Topics Died

Prohibits the distribution of consumers' DNA profiles submitted to direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies. Requires companies to provide a copy of their privacy policy to any consumer that submits a DNA sample and provides for civil penalties for violations of these provisions. Died.

South Carolina Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Privacy, Research Died

This bill amends existing statute sections and creates new statute sections pertaining to health_insurance_nondiscrimination, genetic privacy, research issues and enforcement of these provisions. Measure failed.

Washington Privacy Died

Protects consumer data. Original version of bill included genetic data in the definition of sensitive information, but it was removed from the substitute bill version. 1/13/2020 By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Died.

Colorado Privacy Died

This bill requires a state agency or educational institution to obtain consent from parents or eligible students prior to collecting certain data, including biometric records. Biometric records are defined to include DNA. Died.

Hawaii Health Insurance Coverage Died

Requires individual policies of accident and health or sickness insurance to provide coverage for genetic counseling and testing related to the BRCAl or BRCA2 genetic mutation, if indicated. Died.

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.

Massachusetts Privacy Died

Adds biometric indicators to the state data security protection law. Biometric indicator is defined as any unique biological attribute or measurement that can be used to authenticate the identity of an individual, including but not limited to fingerprints, genetic information, iris or retina patterns, facial characteristics, or hand geometry. Died.

Minnesota Privacy Died

Establishes the Minnesota Consumer Data privacy Act. Gives various rights to consumers regarding personal data. Personal data includes the processing of genetic or biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a person. Places obligations on businesses regarding consumer data. Died.

New Hampshire Privacy Died

Adds biometric information to the Consumer Protection Act. Died.

New York Employment Nondiscrimination, Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Lines of Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

This bill establishes a genetics advisory council to study various topics, including the use of any genetic test by insurers, employers or educational institutions, including the potential for compromising the individual liberties and civil rights of individuals or causing individuals to suffer unfair discrimination. 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

Prohibits a state agency from disseminating to any person any personal data of an individual without the individual �s written consent. A state agency must retain the written consent of an individual obtained per certain requirements. A state agency may not require an individual to consent to dissemination of the individual�s personal data in exchange for access to the services provided by the agency or to the agency�s Internet website. 3/3/2021 Referred to Finance. Died.

Wisconsin Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Died

Amends health insurance law pertaining to pre-existing conditions. Insurers may not treat genetic information as a pre-existing condition. Provision stating "without a diagnosis of a condition related to the information" is stricken. 3/28/2018 Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.

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.

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.

Maryland Health Insurance Nondiscrimination, Other Topics Died

Declares that it is the policy of the state to provide affordable health care to all regardless of various factors, including genetic information. Prohibits discrimination based on genetic information by a hospital; a person licensed or otherwise regulated by the Maryland Department of Health; and a person, including a health maintenance organization, that provides health benefits and has a certificate of authority from issued by the Maryland Department of Insurance. Died.

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.

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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