Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-1053
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2003-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Apprenticeship
Civil actions and liability
Civil rights enforcement
Damages
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Labor
Department of the Treasury
Discrimination in employment
Discrimination in insurance
Discrimination in medical care
Dismissal of employees
Employee health benefits
Employee rights
Employee selection
Employment agencies
Environmental Protection
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Families
Family leave
Federal employees
Finance and Financial Sector
Genetic counseling
Genetics
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Health insurance
Insurance premiums
Labor and Employment
Labor unions
Labor-management committees
Law
Medical records
Medical screening
Medical tests
Medigap
Mine safety
Occupational health and safety
Position classification
Punitive damages
Right of privacy
Standards

Summary:
action_date: 2003-05-13
text: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit health discrimination on the basis of genetic information or services. Defines genetic information as genetic tests of an individual or family member or occurrence of a disease or disorder in family members used to predict risk of disease in asymptomatic or undiagnosed individuals. Defines genetic services as health services provided for genetic education and counseling.
Prohibits group health plans or health insurers offering group coverage from using genetic information to impose enrollment restrictions or adjust group premiums. Prohibits requests for genetic testing or results except as necessary for treatment, payment, or health care operations.
Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit such discrimination in coverage offered in the individual market.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue final regulations, coordinating with the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Labor through an interagency memorandum of understanding.
Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or training program to discriminate against an individual or deprive such individual of employment opportunities because of genetic information. Prohibits the collection of genetic information except where necessary to monitor the effects of toxic substances in the workplace when authorized by the employee, or as required by law.
Requires genetic information to be treated as part of an individual's confidential medical record, limiting disclosure to the individual, the family, health researchers, or as required by law or court order.
Grants enforcement powers to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
action_date: 2003-07-31
text: 
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2003 - 
Title I: Genetic NonDiscrimination in Health Insurance
 - (Sec. 101) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to expand the prohibition on health plan or issuer discrimination on the basis of genetic information or services to prohibit: (1) enrollment discrimination based on information about a request for or receipt of genetic services by an individual or an individual's family member; (2) group premium discrimination based on the genetic information of an individual or an individual's family member; and (3) requiring genetic testing. Defines genetic information as genetic tests of an individual or family member or occurrence of a disease or disorder in family members. States that such term shall not include information about the sex or age of an individual. Defines genetic services as genetic tests, genetic counseling, or genetic education.
 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit such discrimination in coverage offered in the individual market.
 
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue final regulations to carry out this title.
 
(Sec. 104) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit an issuer of a Medicare supplemental policy from denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of the policy, or from discriminating in the price of the policy of an eligible individual based on genetic information, on the receipt of genetic services or on a request for such services. Prohibits the issuer of such a policy from requesting or requiring a beneficiary to undergo a genetic test.
 
(Sec. 105) Applies the HHS medical privacy rules to the disclosure of genetic information. Prohibits a group health plan, a health insurance issuer, or an issuer of Medicare supplemental policies from using or disclosing genetic information for purposes of underwriting, determining eligibility to enroll, or premium rating. Prohibits such entities from using or disclosing genetic information for the creation, renewal, or replacement of a plan, contract, or coverage for health insurance or benefits. Prohibits such entities from requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information concerning a participant, beneficiary, or enrollee prior to the enrollment and in connection with such enrollment of such individual under the plan, coverage, or policy. Permits the incidental collection of such genetic information by such entities if the request, requirement, or purchase that brought the information was not made for certain purposes, including underwriting, and if the information is not used or disclosed in violation of the HHS medical privacy rules. 
Makes the confidentiality standards inapplicable to group health plans, health insurance issuers, or issuers of Medicare supplemental policies that are not otherwise covered by regulations promulgated under part C of title XI of the Social Security Act and a health information privacy provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Makes the prohibition on collection of genetic information inapplicable to genetic information that is not considered to be individually-identifiable health information under such regulations. 

Title II: Prohibiting Employment Discrimination On the Basis of Genetic Information
 - (Sec. 202) Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or training program to discriminate against an individual or deprive such individual of employment opportunities because of genetic information. Prohibits the collection of genetic information except: (1) where health or genetic services are offered by the employer; (2) where an employer needs certain information to comply with the certification provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 or with State family and medical leave laws; (3) where an employer purchases documents that are commercially and publicly available that include family medical history; or (4) where necessary to monitor the effects of toxic substances in the workplace (when authorized by the employee or as required by law). 
(Sec. 206) Requires genetic information to be treated as part of an individual's confidential medical record, limiting disclosure to certain parties, including the individual, the family, health researchers, or government officials investigating compliance with this title. Permits disclosure as required by court order or as made in order for an employee to comply with the certification provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 or with State family and medical leave laws. 
(Sec. 207) Protects applicants or employees covered by: (1) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (regarding the EEOC); (2) the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991; (3) the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995; (4) specified Federal law pertaining to the extension of certain rights and protections to presidential offices; and (5) the section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 regarding employment by the Federal Government. Provides for the same compensatory and punitive damages available to prevailing plaintiffs under Federal law regarding damages in cases of intentional discrimination in employment. 
(Sec. 208) Requires establishment of a Genetic Nondiscrimination Study Commission, which shall review the developing science of genetics and advise Congress on the advisability of providing for a disparate impact cause of action under this Act. 
(Sec. 210) Declares that an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee shall not be considered to be in violation of this title based on the use, acquisition, or disclosure of medical information that is not genetic information about a manifested disease, disorder, or pathological condition of an employee or member. 
(Sec. 211) Directs the EEOC to issue final regulations to carry out this title. 
(Sec. 212) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. 

Title III: Miscellaneous Provision
 - States that if any part of this Act is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected.
 

action_date: 2003-10-14
text: 
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2003 - 
Title I: Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance
 - (Sec. 101) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to expand the prohibition on health plan or issuer discrimination on the basis of genetic information or services to prohibit: (1) enrollment discrimination based on information about a request for or receipt of genetic services by an individual or an individual's family member; (2) group premium discrimination based on the genetic information of an individual or an individual's family member; and (3) requiring genetic testing. Defines genetic information as genetic tests of an individual or family member or occurrence of a disease or disorder in family members. States that such term shall not include information about the sex or age of an individual. Defines genetic services as genetic tests, genetic counseling, or genetic education.
 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit such discrimination in coverage offered in the individual market.
 
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue final regulations to carry out this title.
 
(Sec. 104) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit an issuer of a Medicare supplemental policy from denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of the policy, or from discriminating in the price of the policy of an eligible individual based on genetic information, on the receipt of genetic services or on a request for such services. Prohibits the issuer of such a policy from requesting or requiring a beneficiary to undergo a genetic test.
 
(Sec. 105) Applies the HHS medical privacy rules to the disclosure of genetic information. Prohibits a group health plan, a health insurance issuer, or an issuer of Medicare supplemental policies from using or disclosing genetic information for purposes of underwriting, determining eligibility to enroll, or premium rating. Prohibits such entities from using or disclosing genetic information for the creation, renewal, or replacement of a plan, contract, or coverage for health insurance or benefits. Prohibits such entities from requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information concerning a participant, beneficiary, or enrollee prior to the enrollment and in connection with such enrollment of such individual under the plan, coverage, or policy. Permits the incidental collection of such genetic information by such entities if the request, requirement, or purchase that brought the information was not made for certain purposes, including underwriting, and if the information is not used or disclosed in violation of the HHS medical privacy rules.
 
Makes the confidentiality standards inapplicable to group health plans, health insurance issuers, or issuers of Medicare supplemental policies that are not otherwise covered by regulations promulgated under part C of title XI of the Social Security Act and a health information privacy provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Makes the prohibition on collection of genetic information inapplicable to genetic information that is not considered to be individually-identifiable health information under such regulations. 
 

Title II: Prohibiting Employment Discrimination On the Basis of Genetic Information
 - (Sec. 202) Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or training program to discriminate against an individual or deprive such individual of employment opportunities because of genetic information. Prohibits the collection of genetic information except: (1) where health or genetic services are offered by the employer; (2) where an employer needs certain information to comply with the certification provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 or with State family and medical leave laws; (3) where an employer purchases documents that are commercially and publicly available that include family medical history; or (4) where necessary to monitor the effects of toxic substances in the workplace (when authorized by the employee or as required by law). 
 
(Sec. 206) Requires genetic information to be treated as part of an individual's confidential medical record, limiting disclosure to certain parties, including the individual, the family, health researchers, or government officials investigating compliance with this title. Permits disclosure as required by court order or as made in order for an employee to comply with the certification provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 or with State family and medical leave laws.
 
(Sec. 207) Protects applicants or employees covered by: (1) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (regarding the EEOC); (2) the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991; (3) the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995; (4) specified Federal law pertaining to the extension of certain rights and protections to presidential offices; and (5) the section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 regarding employment by the Federal Government. Provides for the same compensatory and punitive damages available to prevailing plaintiffs under Federal law regarding damages in cases of intentional discrimination in employment. 
 
(Sec. 208) Requires establishment of a Genetic Nondiscrimination Study Commission, which shall review the developing science of genetics and advise Congress on the advisability of providing for a disparate impact cause of action under this Act. 
 
(Sec. 210) Declares that an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee shall not be considered to be in violation of this title based on the use, acquisition, or disclosure of medical information that is not genetic information about a manifested disease, disorder, or pathological condition of an employee or member. 
 
(Sec. 211) Directs the EEOC to issue final regulations to carry out this title.
 
(Sec. 212) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. 
 

Title III: Miscellaneous Provision
 - States that if any part of this Act is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-10-15
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2003-10-15
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2003-10-15
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2003-10-14
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 95 - 0. Record Vote Number: 377.
action_date: 2003-10-14
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 95 - 0. Record Vote Number: 377.
action_date: 2003-10-14
text: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S12493-12508; text as passed Senate: CR S12499-12508)
action_date: 2003-10-02
text: The committee substitute agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2003-10-02
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S12403-12417; text of measure reported in Senate: CR S12404-12416)
action_date: 2003-07-31
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 247.
action_date: 2003-07-31
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Gregg with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-122.
action_date: 2003-07-31
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Gregg with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-122.
action_date: 2003-05-21
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2003-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2003-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate