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

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Burdick and 8 co-sponsors

Bill A 5123 ensures only patients and their healthcare providers access genetic testing results, protecting privacy and limiting insurers' access to sensitive data.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Bill Information

Bill Number: A 5123

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.

Status: Referred to Governmental Operations

Introduced: February 12, 2025

Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill A 5123 is to enhance the privacy and confidentiality of genetic testing results. The bill aims to ensure that only patients and their direct healthcare providers have access to the detailed results of genetic tests. By limiting the distribution of this sensitive information, the bill seeks to protect patients from potential misuse of their genetic data by health insurance companies and other entities.

Key Provisions

Access to Genetic Testing Results:

Patients will receive their genetic testing results directly.
Only healthcare providers who are involved in the patient's direct care will have access to these results.

Insurance Company Notification:

Health insurance companies will only receive a record indicating that genetic testing has been performed, without access to the specific results.

Confidentiality Measures:

The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of genetic information, thereby reducing the risk of discrimination based on genetic data.

Who Would Be Affected

Patients: Individuals undergoing genetic testing will benefit from increased privacy regarding their genetic information.

Healthcare Providers: Medical professionals involved in patient care will have access to necessary genetic information to inform treatment decisions.

Health Insurance Companies: Insurers will have limited access to genetic data, which may impact their ability to use such information for underwriting or coverage decisions.

Procedural Aspects

Legislative Action: The bill was introduced on February 12, 2025, and has been referred to the Governmental Operations committee for further consideration.

Related Legislation: This bill is related to prior-session bills A 9929 and A 7451, as well as companion bill S 2398, which may address similar issues regarding genetic testing and privacy.

Conclusion

Bill A 5123 represents a significant step towards protecting the privacy of individuals undergoing genetic testing. By restricting access to sensitive genetic information, the bill aims to safeguard patients from potential discrimination and misuse of their genetic data by health insurance companies. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, its implications for patient privacy and healthcare practices will be closely monitored.

Bill