Maryland § 17-104

§ 17-104.

    (a)    The Office of Health Care Quality shall establish:

        (1)    a licensing program for laboratories performing SNP or other sequencing–based testing on evidence in support of FGGS on or before October 1, 2022; and

        (2)    a licensing program for individuals performing genetic genealogy on or before October 1, 2024.

    (b)    The Office of Health Care Quality shall:

        (1)    develop a training program on obtaining informed consent under §§ 17–102 and 17–103 of this title; and

        (2)    identify and approve one or more genetic counselors to administer the training.

    (c)    The Maryland Forensic Laboratory Advisory Committee shall:

        (1)    establish best practices for laboratories performing SNP or other sequencing–based methods; and

        (2)    recommend regulations that establish minimum qualifications for individuals performing genetic genealogy.

    (d)    (1)    Prohibitions may not be placed on any laboratory conducting SNP or other sequencing–based testing or on genetic genealogists participating in an FGGS before the relevant licensing program is established under subsection (a) of this section.

        (2)    Within 1 year after the Office of Health Care Quality establishes the relevant licensing program under subsection (a) of this section, laboratories conducting SNP or other sequencing–based testing and genetic genealogists participating in an FGGS shall apply for the license required.

    (e)    Neither the laboratory conducting SNP or other sequencing–based testing, nor a law enforcement official, may disclose genetic genealogy information without authorization.