§ 33-54-1 — Legislative findings and determinations; intent of chapter

The General Assembly 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 finds and declares that: (1) Genetic information is the unique property of the individual tested; (2) The use and availability of information concerning an individual obtained through the use of genetic testing techniques may be subject to abuses if disclosed to unauthorized third parties without the willing consent of the individual tested; (3) To protect individual privacy and to preserve individual autonomy with regard to an individual's genetic information, it is appropriate to limit the use and availability of genetic information; and (4) The intent of this chapter is to prevent accident and sickness insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, managed care organizations, and other payors from using information derived from genetic testing to deny access to accident and sickness insurance.