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U.S. H.R. 493 is the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act which prohibits discrimination based on genetic information.

The U. S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 493, the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act, a law that would prohibit discrimination based on genetic information.  However, by not including children who are being considered for adoption in the definition of “family member” the bill fails to protect prospective adoptive parents and the children they are seeking to adopt. A family considering adopting a child with a genetic condition could be vulnerable to pressure by an employer or insurance company looking to avoid higher costs of covering such a child.  The Senate version, S. 358, has been favorably reported out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.