Additional Resources

Prohibits unlawful discriminatory practice based on protected status, including genetic information. Carries over to 2020 only if on list published by legislature. Bill Status: Pending

Prohibits unlawful discriminatory practice based on protected status, including genetic information. Carries over to 2020 only if on list published by legislature. Bill Status: Pending

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. 8/26/2019 Became law without signature. Bill Status: Enacted

Amends genetic nondiscrimination in employment statute. Deletes existing provision related to genetic information and adds protected classes or protected categories, which is defined to include predisposing genetic characteristics. 5/18/2020 Referred to Committee On Rules and Operations of the Senate. Bill Status: Pending

The law sets forth procedures for State employment appeals of grievances and disciplinary actions related to discrimination claims, including discrimination based on genetic information.

No insurance company may refuse to issue or deliver any policy of life insurance solely by reason of the fact that the person to be insured possesses sickle cell trait or hemoglobin C trait. A policy also may not carry a higher premium rate or charge by reason of the fact that the person to be insured possesses these traits.

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 status related 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.

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.

This bill amends the statute that allows the health council to authorize the use of newborn metabolic screening tests for legitimate research purposes by broadening the term "newborn metabolic screening tests" to include "newborn metabolic and genetic disease screening tests." Signed by the Governor April 26, 2011. Bill Status: Enacted

Enacts a new chapter of the statutes relating to genetic privacy. A person may not collect a DNA sample from an individual, perform a DNA analysis on a sample, retain a DNA sample or the results of a DNA analysis, or disclose the results of a DNA analysis unless the person has first obtained the informed and written consent of the individual or of the individual's legal guardian or authorized representative, for the collection, analysis, retention, or disclosure. A DNA sample and the results of a DNA analysis performed on the sample are the exclusive property of the individual sampled or analyzed. The bill provides certain exemptions. Died. Bill Status: Died