Rule 2.21.4009 - COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2008 (GINA)(1) To comply with GINA, which prohibits discrimination based on genetic information with respect to employment or state-sponsored group health plans, agency managers may not: (a) request, require, or purchase genetic information about employees or their family members; or(b) use genetic information to: (i) discriminate against an individual in hiring, discharge, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment;(ii) make decisions about admission to apprenticeship and training programs, including on-the-job training;(iii) limit, segregate, or classify an individual;(iv) fail or refuse to refer an individual for employment;(v) deprive an individual of employment opportunities; or(vi) acquire health insurance or set premiums under the group health plan.(2) Requests for genetic information include, but are not limited to: (a) conducting Internet searches on individuals in a way that is likely to result in obtaining genetic information;(b) knowingly or purposefully listening to third-party conversations or searching an individual's personal effects for the purpose of obtaining genetic information; and(c) requesting information about an individual's current health status in a way that is likely to result in obtaining genetic information.(3) To avoid inadvertently receiving genetic information, agency representatives who request medical information as part of an employment-related medical exam or a medical certification in response to a request for sick leave, leave qualifying under the Family Medical Leave Act, or a reasonable accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act, shall include the following statements verbatim in their written request for medical information: (a) ''The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) prohibits employers and other entities covered by GINA Title II from requesting or requiring genetic information of employees or their family members. To comply with this law, we ask you not to provide any genetic information when responding to this request for medical information."(b) "Genetic information, as defined by GINA, includes an individual's family medical history, the results of an individual's or family member's genetic tests, the fact that an individual or an individual's family member sought or received genetic services, and genetic information of a fetus carried by an individual or an individual's family member or an embryo lawfully held by an individual or family member receiving assistive reproductive services."(c) ''Genetic test means an analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins, or metabolites that detects genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal changes."(4) Agency managers may not ask probing questions of an individual if they inadvertently learn of a health condition of an applicant, employee, or the health condition of a family member. (a) Probing questions include, but are not limited to, asking the individual whether other family members have the condition or whether the individual has been tested for the condition. These questions are likely to result in the acquisition of genetic information.(5) Agency representatives possessing genetic information about an employee shall maintain the information as confidential in compliance with ARM Title 2, chapter 21, subchapter 66, Employee Records Management Policy.Mont. Admin. r. 2.21.4009
NEW, 2011 MAR p. 1672, Eff. 8/26/11.2-18-102, MCA; IMP, 2-18-102, MCA;