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Bill

HB 1007

Disability and Life Insurance - Medical Information (Genetic Testing Protection Act)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tiffany Alston and 23 co-sponsors

Maryland law prohibits disability and life insurers from requiring genetic tests or using results to deny coverage or adjust premiums.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 394
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Bill Summary · HB 1007

Legislative bill overview

HB 1007 prohibits disability and life insurance companies in Maryland from requiring genetic testing as a condition of coverage or from using genetic test results to deny, limit, or increase premiums for disability and life insurance policies. The bill became law (Chapter 394) in May 2025 after passing through the legislative process.

Why is this important

Genetic testing can reveal predispositions to serious health conditions, but individuals may face insurance discrimination based on results rather than actual diagnoses. This law protects Marylanders from insurers using genetic information to make coverage or pricing decisions, addressing concerns that genetic data could create a new category of "uninsurable" people based on future risk rather than present health status.

Potential points of contention

  • Insurance industry costs: Insurers may argue that prohibiting genetic testing access increases their underwriting costs and risk exposure, potentially leading to higher premiums for all policyholders
  • Scope limitations: The bill applies only to disability and life insurance; it doesn't address health insurance, long-term care insurance, or other coverage types where genetic discrimination concerns also exist
  • Enforcement challenges: Determining whether insurers violated the law by using genetic information indirectly (through correlated medical records or family history) could prove difficult in practice

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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