Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110–233 (text) (PDF), 122 Stat. 881, enacted May 21, 2008, GINA /ˈdʒiː.nə/ JEE-nə), is an Act of Congress in the United States designed to prohibit some types of genetic discrimination. The act bars the use of genetic information in health insurance and employment: it prohibits group health plans and health insurers from denying coverage to a healthy individual or charging that person higher premiums based solely on a genetic predisposition to developing a disease in the future, and it bars employers from using individuals' genetic information when making hiring, firing, job placement, or promotion decisions. Senator Ted Kennedy called it the "first major new civil rights bill of the new century." The Act contains amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
| Long title | An act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment. |
|---|---|
| Acronyms (colloquial) | GINA |
| Enacted by | the 110th United States Congress |
| Effective | May 21, 2008 |
| Citations | |
| Public law | 110-233 |
| Statutes at Large | 122 Stat. 881 |
| Codification | |
| Acts amended | Employee Retirement Income Security Act Public Health Service Act Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Social Security Act of 1965 Fair Labor Standards Act |
| Titles amended | 29, 42 |
| U.S.C. sections amended | 29 U.S.C. § 216(e) 29 U.S.C. § 1132 29 U.S.C. § 1182 29 U.S.C. § 1182(b) 29 U.S.C. § 1191b(d) 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-1 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-1(b) 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-21(b)(2) 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-22(b) 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-51 et seq. 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-61(b) 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-91 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-91(d) 42 U.S.C. § 1395ss 42 U.S.C. § 1395ss(o) 42 U.S.C. § 1395ss(s)(2) |
| Legislative history | |
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In 2008, on April 24 H.R. 493 passed the Senate 95-0. The bill was then sent back to the House of Representatives and passed 414-1 on May 1; the lone dissenter was Congressman Ron Paul. President George W. Bush signed the bill into law on May 21, 2008.