42 U.S.C. § 2000ff–3: Labor organization…

Summary

Unions must not treat members worse because of genetic information. They cannot kick someone out, deny or limit job chances, put members into different groups that hurt them, or try to get an employer to discriminate for genetic reasons. Unions also may not ask for, require, or buy genetic information about a member or their family, except in a few cases: if family medical history is asked by mistake; if the union offers health or genetic services and the member gives prior, knowing, voluntary, written permission and only the member and health professional see identifiable results while the union gets only anonymous summaries; if the information is needed for federal or state family leave certification; if the union buys publicly sold materials like newspapers, magazines, or books (not medical databases or court records); or for genetic monitoring of workplace toxins, but only with written notice, prior written permission (or a legal requirement), individual result notice, required regulatory compliance, and only anonymous summary results given to the union (except the health professionals involved). Even with these exceptions, the information cannot be used to discriminate or shared in ways that violate genetic privacy rules.

Title 42, §2000ff–3

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Discrimination based on genetic information

It shall be an unlawful employment practice for a labor organization—

(1)to exclude or to expel from the membership of the organization, or otherwise to discriminate against, any member because of genetic information with respect to the member;

(2)to limit, segregate, or classify the members of the organization, or fail or refuse to refer for employment any member, in any way that would deprive or tend to deprive any member of employment opportunities, or otherwise adversely affect the status of the member as an employee, because of genetic information with respect to the member; or

(3)to cause or attempt to cause an employer to discriminate against a member in violation of this chapter.

(b)Acquisition of genetic information

It shall be an unlawful employment practice for a labor organization to request, require, or purchase genetic information with respect to a member or a family member of the member except—

(1)where a labor organization inadvertently requests or requires family medical history of the member or family member of the member;

(2)where—

(A)health or genetic services are offered by the labor organization, including such services offered as part of a wellness program;

(B)the member provides prior, knowing, voluntary, and written authorization;

(C)only the member (or family member if the family member is receiving genetic services) and the licensed health care professional or board certified genetic counselor involved in providing such services receive individually identifiable information concerning the results of such services; and

(D)any individually identifiable genetic information provided under subparagraph (C) in connection with the services provided under subparagraph (A) is only available for purposes of such services and shall not be disclosed to the labor organization except in aggregate terms that do not disclose the identity of specific members;

(3)where a labor organization requests or requires family medical history from the members to comply with the certification provisions of section 2613 of title 29 or such requirements under State family and medical leave laws;

(4)where a labor organization purchases documents that are commercially and publicly available (including newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and books, but not including medical databases or court records) that include family medical history; or

(5)where the information involved is to be used for genetic monitoring of the biological effects of toxic substances in the workplace, but only if—

(A)the labor organization provides written notice of the genetic monitoring to the member;

(B)(i)the member provides prior, knowing, voluntary, and written authorization; or

(ii)the genetic monitoring is required by Federal or State law;

(C)the member is informed of individual monitoring results;

(D)the monitoring is in compliance with—

(i)any Federal genetic monitoring regulations, including any such regulations that may be promulgated by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.), the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); or

(ii)State genetic monitoring regulations, in the case of a State that is implementing genetic monitoring regulations under the authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.); and

(E)the labor organization, excluding any licensed health care professional or board certified genetic counselor that is involved in the genetic monitoring program, receives the results of the monitoring only in aggregate terms that do not disclose the identity of specific members.

(c)Preservation of protections

In the case of information to which any of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (b) applies, such information may not be used in violation of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) or treated or disclosed in a manner that violates section 2000ff–5 of this title.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (b)(5)(D), is Pub. L. 91–596, Dec. 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 1590, which is classified principally to chapter 15 (§ 651 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 651 of Title 29 and Tables. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, referred to in subsec. (b)(5)(D)(i), is Pub. L. 91–173, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 742, which is classified principally to chapter 22 (§ 801 et seq.) of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

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note set out under section 801 of Title 30 and Tables. The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, referred to in subsec. (b)(5)(D)(i), is act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, as added by act Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, § 1, 68 Stat. 919, which is classified principally to chapter 23 (§ 2011 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 2011 of this title and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective 18 months after May 21, 2008, see section 213 of Pub. L. 110–233, set out as a note under section 2000ff of this title.

§2000ff–3 Labor Organization Practices

Summary

Title 42, §2000ff–3

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

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Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

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