Louisiana Genetic Discrimination

Genetic Information Discrimination Act

The state of Louisiana passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) in 2008, which forbids all forms of genetic discrimination and testing in the workplace. This means an employer, employment agency, or a labor organization cannot discriminate its employees based on confidential genetic data. This act also prevents employers or insurance companies from being able to request and acquire such sensitive information.

Types of Privacy Protection and Genetic Discrimination

• Protected Genetic Information: Information that is related to an individual’s own or family members’ genetic information or health is protected.
• Genetic Tests: Tests which require the analysis of an individual’s DNA, chromosomes, RNA and other cells used to detect inherited diseases.
• Genetic Monitoring: The act of regularly or annually examining an employee to determine whether there have been any genetic changes during the course of employment.
• Genetic Services: Help services offered by employers or insurance companies to help obtain genetic information for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.