(1) The general assembly hereby finds and determines that recent advances in genetic science have led to improvements in the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of a significant number of human diseases. The general assembly further declares that:
Genetic information is the unique property of the individual to whom the informationpertains;
Any information concerning an individual obtained through the use of genetic services may be subject to abuses if disclosed to unauthorized third parties without the willing consent of the individual to whom the information pertains;
To protect individual privacy and to preserve individual autonomy with regard to theindividual's genetic information, it is appropriate to limit the use and availability of genetic information;
The intent of this section is to prevent genetic information from being used to denyaccess to health care insurance or medicare supplement insurance coverage.
(2) For the purposes of this section:
"Entity" means any sickness and accident insurance company, health maintenanceorganization, nonprofit hospital, medical-surgical and health service corporation, or other entity that provides health care insurance or medicare supplement insurance coverage and is subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner of insurance.
"Family member" means an individual who is related to another individual by blood,adoption, or marriage within the first, second, third, or fourth degree.
(I) "Genetic information" means information about an individual's genetic test, thegenetic tests of family members of the individual, and the manifestation of a disease or disorder in family members of the individual. "Genetic information" includes any request for, or receipt of, genetic services with respect to an individual, or participation by an individual or the family member of an individual in clinical research that includes genetic services.
With regard to an individual who is pregnant, "genetic information" includes geneticinformation of the fetus carried by the pregnant individual. With regard to an individual or family member using reproductive technology, "genetic information" includes genetic information of any embryo legally held by an individual or family member.
"Genetic information" does not include information about the sex or age of an individual.
"Genetic services" means a genetic test, genetic counseling, which includes obtaining, interpreting, or assessing genetic information, or genetic education.
(I) "Genetic test" means any analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins,or metabolites that detects genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal changes.
(II) "Genetic test" does not include:
An analysis of proteins or metabolites that is directly related to a manifested disease,disorder, or pathological condition that could reasonably be detected by a health care professional with appropriate training and expertise in the field of medicine involved; or
An analysis of proteins or metabolites that does not detect genotypes, mutations, orchromosomal changes.
(f) "Underwriting purposes" means any of the following:
Rules for, or determination of, eligibility for enrollment or continued eligibility in apolicy or for benefits under the policy;
The computation of premium or contribution amounts under the policy;
The application of any preexisting condition exclusion under the policy; and
Other activities related to the creation, renewal, or replacement of a contract ofhealth insurance or health benefits.
(3) (a) Genetic information shall be confidential and privileged. Any release, for purposes other than diagnosis, treatment, or therapy, of genetic information that identifies the person tested with the test results released requires specific written consent by the person about whom the genetic information pertains or the parent or guardian of that person.
(b) (I) Any entity that receives genetic information may not seek, use, or keep the information for any nontherapeutic purpose or for any underwriting purpose connected with the provision of health care insurance or medicare supplement insurance coverage.
(II) If an entity obtains genetic information incidental to a request or requirement for, or purchase of, other information concerning an individual, the request or requirement for, or purchase of, such information shall not be considered a violation of this paragraph (b) if it is not in violation of paragraph (a) of this subsection (3).
(c) (I) An entity shall not request or require an individual or family member of the individual to undergo a genetic test unless otherwise authorized by applicable state or federal law.
(II) Nothing in this paragraph (c) shall be construed to preclude an entity from obtaining and using the results of a genetic test in making a determination regarding payment, as defined in 45 CFR 164.501, as may be amended, and consistent with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (3).
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, in the course of acriminal investigation or a criminal prosecution, and to the extent allowed under the federal or state constitution, any peace officer, district attorney, or assistant attorney general, or a designee thereof, may obtain genetic information regarding the identity of any individual who is the subject of the criminal investigation or prosecution for use exclusively in any criminal investigation or prosecution without the consent of the individual being tested.
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, any research facilitymay use genetic information for scientific research purposes if the identity of any individual to whom the information pertains is not disclosed to any third party; except that the individual's identity may be disclosed to the individual's physician if the individual consents to the disclosure in writing.
This section does not limit the authority of a court or any party to a parentage proceeding to use genetic information for purposes of determining parentage pursuant to section 13-25-126, C.R.S.
This section does not limit the authority of a court or any party to a proceeding that issubject to the limitations of part 5 of article 64 of title 13, C.R.S., to use genetic information for purposes of determining the cause of damage or injury.
This section does not limit the authority of the state board of parole to require anyoffender who is involved in a sexual assault to submit to blood tests and to retain the results of such tests on file as authorized under section 17-2-201 (5)(g), C.R.S.
This section does not limit the authority granted the state department of public healthand environment, the state board of health, or county, district, or municipal public health agencies pursuant to section 25-1-122, C.R.S.
Any violation of this section is an unfair practice as defined in section 10-3-1104
(1), and is subject to the provisions of sections 10-3-1106 to 10-3-1113.
Any individual who is injured by an entity's violation of this section may recover ina court of competent jurisdiction the following remedies:
Equitable relief, which may include a retroactive order, directing the entity to providehealth insurance or medicare supplement insurance coverage, whichever is appropriate, to the injured individual under the same terms and conditions as would have applied had the violation not occurred; and
The greater of:
An amount equal to any actual damages suffered by the individual as a result of theviolation; or
Ten thousand dollars per violation.
(12) The prevailing party in an action under this section may recover costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Source: L. 2009: Entire section added, (HB 09-1338), ch. 353, p. 1840, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2010: (9) amended, (HB 10-1422), ch. 419, p. 2066, § 14, effective August 11.