No insurer shall require a test for the presence of a genetic characteristic for the purpose of determining insurability other than for those policies that are contingent on review or testing for other diseases or medical conditions. In those cases, the test shall be done in accordance with the informed consent and privacy protection provisions of this article and Article 6.6 (commencing with Section 791) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this constitutes the exclusive requirements for informed consent and privacy protection for that testing.

(a) An insurer that requests an applicant to take a genetic characteristic test shall obtain the applicant’s written informed consent for the test. Written informed consent shall include a description of the test to be performed, including its purpose, potential uses, and limitations, the meaning of its results, procedures for notifying the applicant of the results, and the right to confidential treatment of the results.

(b) The insurer shall notify an applicant of a test result by notifying the applicant or the applicant’s designated physician. If the applicant tested has not given written consent authorizing a physician to receive the test results, the applicant shall be urged, at the time the applicant is informed of the test results, to contact a health care professional.

(c) The commissioner shall develop and adopt standardized language for the informed consent disclosure form required by this section to be given to any applicant for life or disability income insurance who takes a test for a genetic characteristic.

(d) A life or disability income insurer shall not require a person to undergo a test of the person’s genetic characteristics unless the cost of the test is paid by the insurer.

(e) No policy shall limit benefits otherwise payable if loss is caused or contributed to by the presence or absence of genetic characteristics, except to the extent and in the same fashion as the insurer limits coverage for loss caused or contributed to by other medical conditions presenting an increased degree of risk.

(f) Nothing in this chapter shall limit an insurer’s right to decline an application or enrollment request for a life or disability income insurance policy, charge a higher rate or premium for such a policy, or place a limitation on coverage under such a policy, on the basis of manifestations of any disease or disorder.

(g) No discrimination shall be made in the fees or commissions of agents or brokers writing or renewing a life or disability income policy on the basis of a test of that person’s genetic characteristics.

(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 521, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 1999.)