Summary of Bill S 2398

Title

Requires genetic testing results only be received by patients and health care providers providing direct care while health insurance companies only receive a record that the genetic testing was performed.

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 2398 aims to enhance patient privacy and control over genetic testing results. The legislation seeks to ensure that only patients and their direct healthcare providers have access to the results of genetic tests, while health insurance companies will only receive a record indicating that the testing was conducted. This measure is intended to protect sensitive genetic information from being disclosed to third parties, thereby safeguarding patient confidentiality and promoting trust in genetic testing services.

Key Provisions

• Access to Results: The bill stipulates that genetic testing results can only be accessed by:

  • The patient who underwent the genetic testing.
  • Healthcare providers directly involved in the patient's care.

• Insurance Company Notification: Health insurance companies will not receive detailed results of genetic tests. Instead, they will only be informed that a genetic test has been performed, without any specifics regarding the outcomes.

Affected Parties

• Patients: Individuals who undergo genetic testing will benefit from increased privacy and control over their genetic information.
• Healthcare Providers: Medical professionals providing direct care will have access to necessary genetic information to inform treatment decisions.
• Health Insurance Companies: Insurers will have limited access to genetic information, which may affect how they assess risk and coverage related to genetic conditions.

Legislative Timeline

• Introduced: January 17, 2025
• Referred to Codes: January 17, 2025
• Advanced to 1st Report Calendar: May 20, 2025
• 2nd Report Calendar: May 21, 2025
• Advanced to 3rd Reading: May 22, 2025
• Passed Senate: May 29, 2025
• Delivered to Assembly: May 29, 2025
• Referred to Governmental Operations: May 29, 2025

Related Bills

• S 8631 (prior-session)
• S 1208 (prior-session)
• A 5123 (companion bill)

Conclusion

Bill S 2398 represents a significant step towards enhancing patient privacy regarding genetic testing. By limiting access to genetic test results, the bill aims to protect sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure, thereby fostering a more secure environment for patients undergoing genetic testing. The ongoing legislative process will determine the final outcome of this important measure.