Genetic Information Privacy—Know Your Rights
The Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act, referred as GIPA, protects information about an individual’s genetic material. Recently, several lawsuits have been brought alleging that Illinois employers have violated GIPA by conducting pre-employment medical examinations of job applicants. GIPA (410 ILCS 513 et seq.) was enacted by the Illinois Legislature in 1998, and was intended to protect an individual’s genetic information from being disclosed without consent or from being used in a discriminatory manner. GIPA restricts Illinois employers from obtaining genetic information as a condition of employment; prohibits employment decisions based upon an individual’s genetic information; and bars retaliation against an employee who...
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