(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 techniques 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 information derived from genetic testing frombeing used to deny access to group disability insurance or long-term care insurance coverage.
(2) For the purposes of this section:
"Entity" means any entity that provides group disability insurance or long-term careinsurance coverage and is subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner of insurance.
"Genetic testing" means any laboratory test of human DNA, RNA, or chromosomesthat is used to identify the presence or absence of alterations in genetic material which are associated with disease or illness. "Genetic testing" includes only such tests as are direct measures of such alterations rather than indirect manifestations thereof.
(3) (a) Information derived from genetic testing shall be confidential and privileged. Any release, for purposes other than diagnosis, treatment, or therapy, of genetic testing information that identifies the person tested with the test results released requires specific written consent by the person tested.
(b) Any entity that receives information derived from genetic testing may not seek, use, or keep the information for any nontherapeutic purpose or for any underwriting purpose connected with the provision of group disability insurance or long-term care insurance coverage.
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 information derived from genetic testing regarding the identity of any individual who is the subject of the criminal investigation or prosecution for use exclusively in the 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 the information derived from genetic testing for scientific research purposes so long as 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 such disclosure in writing.
This section does not limit the authority of a court or any party to a parentage proceeding to use information obtained from genetic testing 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 information obtained from genetic testing 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 local departments of health pursuant to section 251-122, C.R.S.
Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the only requirementsthat shall apply to an insurer in connection with life insurance or individual disability insurance are as follows:
Except as otherwise specifically authorized or required by another section of state orfederal law, an insurer shall not require the performance of or perform a genetic test without first receiving the specific, written, informed consent of the subject of the test who has the capacity to consent or, if the person subject to the test lacks the capacity to consent, of a person authorized by law to consent on behalf of the subject of the test. Written consent shall be in a form prescribed by the commissioner.
The results of a genetic test performed pursuant to this subsection (10) are privilegedand confidential and shall not be released to any person except as specifically authorized under applicable state or federal law.
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 providegroup disability insurance or long-term care 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.
(13) The prevailing party in an action under this section may recover costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Source: L. 94: Entire section added, p. 1944, § 1, effective June 2; (9) amended, p. 2614, § 22, effective July 1. L. 2002: (10) and (12) amended, p. 990, § 1, effective June 1. L. 2003: (12)(b)(I) amended, p. 1982, § 7, effective May 22. L. 2009: (1)(d), (2)(a), (3)(b), and (12)(a) amended, (HB 09-1338), ch. 353, p. 1839, § 1, effective July 1.