1751.64 [Repealed effective 2/9/2014] Genetic screening or testing.

1751.64 [Repealed effective 2/9/2014] Genetic screening or testing.

(A) As used in this section, “genetic screening or testing” means a laboratory test of a person’s genes or chromosomes for abnormalities, defects, or deficiencies, including carrier status, that are linked to physical or mental disorders or impairments, or that indicate a susceptibility to illness, disease, or other disorders, whether physical or mental, which test is a direct test for abnormalities, defects, or deficiencies, and not an indirect manifestation of genetic disorders.

(B) No health insuring corporation, in processing an application for coverage for health care services under an individual or group health insuring corporation policy, contract, or agreement or in determining insurability under such a policy, contract, or agreement, shall do any of the following:

(1) Require an individual seeking coverage to submit to genetic screening or testing;

(2) Take into consideration the results of genetic screening or testing;

(3) Make any inquiry to determine the results of genetic screening or testing;

(4) Make a decision adverse to the applicant based on entries in medical records or other reports of genetic screening or testing.

(C) In developing and asking questions regarding medical histories of applicants for coverage under an individual or group health insuring corporation policy, contract, or agreement, no health insuring corporation shall ask for the results of genetic screening or testing or ask questions designed to ascertain the results of genetic screening or testing.

(D) No health insuring corporation shall cancel or refuse to issue or renew coverage for health care services based on the results of genetic screening or testing.

(E) No health insuring corporation shall deliver, issue for delivery, or renew an individual or group policy, contract, or agreement in this state that limits benefits based on the results of genetic screening or testing.

(F) A violation of this section is an unfair and deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance under sections 3901.19 to 3901.26 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 06-30-1997; repealed effective 02-09-2014