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Summary of differences between federal and state regulations
The federal laws which govern medical exams for employment purposes are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), federal drug testing guidelines under the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A federal executive order prohibits federal employers from requesting genetic tests as a condition of employment, but there are as yet no provisions relating to private employers.
The ADA governs medical testing in relation to applicants and employees with disabilities. For more information on the ADA, see the Americans with Disabilities Act topic.
Drug tests are not considered medical examinations under the ADA, but the records of such tests are considered confidential medical records from a privacy standpoint, and certain procedures must be followed in conducting the tests. For more information, see the section on Drug Testing.
For more information on privacy and medical records, see the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act topic.
Genetic tests
New York has a state law concerning genetic tests. An employer, labor organization, employment agency, or licensing agent may not solicit, require, or administer a genetic test to an individual, or solicit or require information from which a predisposing genetic characteristic can be inferred, as a condition of employment, application, or membership. It is illegal for an employer to discharge, refuse to hire, or discriminate against, any person because of “predisposing genetic characteristics,” meaning information from a genetic test that indicates an individual or his/her offspring may be predisposed to a particular disease or disability or have an increased risk of same.
State
Contact
New York State Department of Labor
Regulations
New York Consolidated Laws, Executive Laws, Article 15, §296, as amended by
Assembly Bill 3107 (Senate Bill 2777), effective 8/29/05
Federal
Contacts
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Drug testing
US Department of Transportation
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Regulations
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
29 CFR 1600, 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604,
1605, 1606, 1607, 1608, 1610, 1611,
1612, 1614, 1620, 1621, 1625, 1626,
1627, 1630, 1635, 1640, 1641
1650, 1690, 1691
DOT drug testing rules
49 CFR Part 40
49 CFR Part 382
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
45 CFR Subchapter B – Parts 144, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, Subchapter C – 160, 162, 164,
Public Law 104-191 (104th Congress)