Skip to main content
HR 2198 105th Congress House Health Administrative procedure Armed Forces and National Security Bioethics Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Civil rights enforcement Commerce Confidential communications Congress Congressional reporting requirements Department of Veterans Affairs Discrimination in employment Discrimination in insurance Discrimination in medical care Employee benefit plans Employee health benefits Employee rights Employment tests Finance and Financial Sector Genetic screening

Genetic Privacy and Nondiscrimination Act of 1997

Introduced: July 17, 1997 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 30, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
Jul 23, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Jul 22, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jul 17, 1997
Referred to House Veterans' Affairs
Jul 17, 1997
Referred to House Education and the Workforce
Jul 17, 1997
Referred to House Government Reform
Jul 17, 1997
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Government Reform and Oversight, Education and the Workforce, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jul 17, 1997
Referred to House Commerce
Jul 17, 1997
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Genetic Privacy and Nondiscrimination Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to prohibit a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group coverage, from discriminating in eligibility based on a request for, or receipt of, genetic information or a genetic test. Prohibits such entities from: (1) using genetic information to discriminate in issuance, renewal, premium rates, or benefits; or (2) disclosing or being compelled, by subpoena or any other means, subject to exception, to disclose genetic information about an individual unless authorized by the individual. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply these prohibitions to coverage in the individual market.

Amends Federal law relating to veterans' benefits to mandate standards, consistent with the prohibitions in this Act, regarding genetic information use and disclosure in connection with medical care provided under those provisions.

Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to attempt to acquire, acquire, or use genetic information, or to require a genetic test, of an employee or applicant to discriminate or restrict any right or benefit. Regulates employer disclosure of and access to genetic information. Provides for enforcement through the powers, remedies, and procedures in specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Mandates a report by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission to the Congress regarding standards to provide increased protection for the collection, storage, and use of DNA samples and genetic information.

What's happening now July 30, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.

 Committees of jurisdiction 7
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 3 Republican 1