New York · Statute
New York Civil Rights Law § 79-l
Confidentiality of records of genetic tests
- Status
- Statute
- Effective date
- Not stated
- Last reviewed
- September 2, 2026
- Source review
- Primary source reviewed
Summary
New York Civil Rights Law section 79-l generally requires written informed consent before a genetic test is performed and before results are disclosed. It also treats genetic-test records and results as confidential and regulates the retention, research use, and destruction of biological samples.
Topics: Privacy · Research
What it requires or prohibits
The person or organization ordering a genetic test must obtain written informed consent. Separate written consent is generally required to disclose results. Unless the tested person authorizes longer retention, the biological sample generally must be destroyed within 60 days after written results are provided to the tested person.
In plain language
In most covered situations, you must give written permission before a genetic test is performed or its results are shared. The law also limits how long a sample may be kept and when it may be used for research.
Primary sources
- New York Civil Rights Law § 79-l. New York State Senate. Accessed September 2, 2026.
Record details
Record metadata
Record history
- August 31, 2026: Record created from the current consolidated law page.
- September 2, 2026: Project-authored analysis revised after primary-source review.
Technical metadata
Record ID: ny-cvr-79-l
Topics: privacy, research
Record data file: data/states/new-york/ny-cvr-79-l.yaml
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Cite this record
Who Owns Your DNA? New York Civil Rights Law § 79-l: Confidentiality of records of genetic tests. U.S. Genetics & Genomics Law and Policy Tracker. Record version 1.1. Accessed [date]. https://whoownsyourdna.org/records/ny-cvr-79-l/