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Requires health plans to cover the cost of the genetic testing of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to detect an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer when recommended by a healthcare provider in accordance with the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations.

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.

It is an unfair method of competition and deceptive act and practice in the business of insurance to discriminate against an insured, enrollee, or beneficiary in the issuance, payment of benefits, withholding of coverage, cancellation or nonrenewal of a policy, contract, plan, or program based upon the results of a genetic test or receipt of genetic information. Actions of an insurer or third parties dealing with an insurer taken in the ordinary course of business in connection with the sale, issuance or administration of a life, disability income, or long-term care insurance policy are exempt from the law.

An employer, labor organization, or employment agency may not (1) discriminate against any employee based on genetic information, (2) require, collect, purchase, or disclose genetic information or information about a request or receipt of genetic services with respect to an employee, or (3) maintain genetic information or information about a request for or the receipt of genetic services in general personnel files. Exceptions regarding disclosure include disclosure to an occupational or other health researcher if the research complies with Part 46 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Additional prohibitions apply to labor organizations with respect to membership and to employers, labor organizations and employment agencies with respect to training. Employers, employment agencies and labor organizations also may not discriminate because an individual has sickle cell trait.

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

Requires the Maine Health Care Agency to establish an affordability assurance program. The program must include rates of payment for various medical tests to detect or evaluate disease and to determine treatment, including DNA testing. Vetoed by the Governor April 28, 2014. Veto sustained May 1, 2014. Bill Status: Vetoed

Prohibits the collection, entry into an education database or maintenance of DNA by as education records by the department of education or school administrative unit. Died. Bill Status: Died

In amended version, prohibits pre-existing condition exclusions in individual health plans but removes text referring to genetic information. Allows restricted enrollment in individual health plans during open enrollment periods and special enrollment periods in a manner consistent with federal law. Died. Bill Status: Died

No member, officer, employee or agent of a municipal housing authority may knowingly divulge or disclose personnel information declared confidential with some specified exceptions. Personal information, including genetic information, is considered confidential. Died. Bill Status: 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. Bill Status: Died