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S 1053 108th Congress Senate Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues 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

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2003

Introduced: May 13, 2003 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 13 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 15, 2003
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Oct 15, 2003
Held at the desk.
Oct 15, 2003
Received in the House.
Oct 14, 2003
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S12493-12508; text as passed Senate: CR S12499-12508)
Oct 14, 2003
Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 95 - 0. Record Vote Number: 377.
Oct 14, 2003
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 95 - 0. Record Vote Number: 377.
Oct 2, 2003
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S12403-12417; text of measure reported in Senate: CR S12404-12416)
Oct 2, 2003
The committee substitute agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Jul 31, 2003
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 247.
Jul 31, 2003
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.
May 21, 2003
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
May 13, 2003
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
May 13, 2003
Introduced in Senate
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 1,824 – In the nature of a substitute. Agreed to Oct 2, 2003
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
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.

What's happening now October 15, 2003

Held at the desk.

 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 1 Republican 2
D
Cantwell, Maria
Washington · Oct 14, 2003
 R
Cornyn, John
Texas · Oct 14, 2003
 R
Collins, Susan M.
Maine · May 13, 2003
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1053: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2003. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-1053/
MLA
"S. 1053: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2003." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-1053/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1053, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-1053/.
Markdown link
[S. 1053: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2003](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-1053/)
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