New York Civil Rights Law § 79-l

Summary

New York Civil Rights Law section 79-l establishes written informed-consent requirements for genetic testing, treats genetic-test records and results as confidential, and sets rules for disclosure, research uses, retention, and destruction of biological samples, subject to stated exceptions.

What the law or policy does

The section generally requires written informed consent before genetic testing and disclosure, deems test records and results confidential, and establishes rules for research use, retention, and sample destruction.

What this means

A person generally must give specific written consent before a genetic test is performed or results are disclosed. The law also addresses how samples may be retained or used for research.