---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 2000ff–8"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "2000ff–8"
heading: "Construction"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/2000ff-8"
units:
  - "Chapter 21F — Prohibiting Employment Discrimination on the Basis of Genetic Information"
---

# §2000ff–8. Construction

- (a) **In general—** Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to—
  - (1) limit the rights or protections of an individual under any other Federal or [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) statute that provides equal or greater protection to an individual than the rights or protections provided for under this chapter, including the protections of an individual under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ([42 U.S.C. 12101](/usc/42/12101.md) et seq.) (including coverage afforded to individuals under section 102 of such Act ([42 U.S.C. 12112](/usc/42/12112.md))), or under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ([29 U.S.C. 701](/usc/29/701.md) et seq.);
  - (2)
    - (A) limit the rights or protections of an individual to bring an action under this chapter against an [employer](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-B), [employment agency](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-C), [labor organization](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-C), or joint labor-management committee for a [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of this chapter; or
    - (B) provide for enforcement of, or penalties for [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of, any requirement or prohibition applicable to any [employer](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-B), [employment agency](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-C), [labor organization](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-C), or joint labor-management committee subject to enforcement for a [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) under—
      - (i) the amendments made by title I of this Act;
      - (ii)
        - (I) subsection (a) of [section 1181 of title 29](/usc/29/1181.md) as such section applies with respect to [genetic information](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=4-A) pursuant to [subsection (b)(1)(B)](/usc/29/1181.md?p=b-1-B) of such section;
        - (II) [section 1182(a)(1)(F) of title 29](/usc/29/1182.md?p=a-1-F); or
        - (III) [section 1182(b)(1) of title 29](/usc/29/1182.md?p=b-1) as such section applies with respect to [genetic information](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=4-A) as a health status-related factor;
      - (iii)
        - (I) [subsection (a)](/usc/42/2701.md) of section 2701[^1] of the Public Health Service Act as such section applies with respect to [genetic information](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=4-A) pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(B) of such section;
        - (II) [section 2702(a)(1)(F)](/usc/42/2702.md)[^1] of such Act; or
        - (III) [section 2702(b)(1)](/usc/42/2702.md)[^1] of such Act as such section applies with respect to [genetic information](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=4-A) as a health status-related factor; or
      - (iv)
        - (I) subsection (a) of [section 9801 of title 26](/usc/26/9801.md) as such section applies with respect to [genetic information](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=4-A) pursuant to [subsection (b)(1)(B)](/usc/42/9801.md) of such section;
        - (II) [section 9802(a)(1)(F) of title 26](/usc/26/9802.md?p=a-1-F); or
        - (III) [section 9802(b)(1) of title 26](/usc/26/9802.md?p=b-1) as such section applies with respect to [genetic information](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=4-A) as a health status-related factor;
  - (3) apply to the Armed Forces Repository of Specimen Samples for the Identification of Remains;
  - (4) limit or expand the protections, rights, or obligations of [employees](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-A) or [employers](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-B) under applicable workers’ compensation laws;
  - (5) limit the authority of a Federal department or [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) to conduct or sponsor occupational or other health research that is conducted in compliance with the regulations contained in part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding or similar regulation or rule);
  - (6) limit the statutory or regulatory authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or the Mine Safety and Health Administration to promulgate or enforce workplace safety and health laws and regulations; or
  - (7) require any specific benefit for an [employee](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-A) or [member](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-D) or a [family member](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=3) of an [employee](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-A) or [member](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-D) under any group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan.
- (b) **Genetic information of a fetus or embryo—** Any reference in this chapter to [genetic information](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=4-A) concerning an individual or [family member](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=3) of an individual shall—
  - (1) with respect to such an individual or [family member](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=3) of an individual who is a pregnant woman, include [genetic information](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=4-A) of any fetus carried by such pregnant woman; and
  - (2) with respect to an individual or [family member](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=3) utilizing an [assisted reproductive technology](/usc/42/263a–7.md?p=1), include [genetic information](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=4-A) of any embryo legally held by the individual or [family member](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=3).
- (c) **Relation to authorities under title I—** With respect to a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, this chapter does not prohibit any activity of such plan or issuer that is authorized for the plan or issuer under any provision of law referred to in clauses [(i)](#a-2-B-i) through [(iv)](#a-2-B-iv) of subsection (a)(2)(B).

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–233, title II, § 209, May 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 918.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is Pub. L. 101–336, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 327, which is classified principally to chapter 126 (§ 12101 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 12101 of this title and Tables.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is Pub. L. 93–112, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 355, which is classified generally to chapter 16 (§ 701 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 701 of Title 29 and Tables.

Title I, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2)(B)(i) and (c), means title I of Pub. L. 110–233. For complete classification of title I to the Code, see Tables.

Section 2701 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii)(I), is section 2701 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to section 300gg of this title, was renumbered section 2704, effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014, with certain exceptions, and amended, by Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1201(2), 1563(c)(1), formerly § 1562(c)(1), title X, § 10107(b)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 154, 264, 911, and was transferred to section 300gg–3 of this title. A new section 2701 of act July 1, 1944, related to fair health insurance premiums, was added, effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014, and amended, by Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1201(4), title X, § 10103(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 155, 892, and is classified to section 300gg of this title.

Section 2702 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii)(II), (III), is section 2702 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to section 300gg–1 of this title, was amended by Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1201(3), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 154, and was transferred to subsecs. (d) to (f) of section 300gg–4 of this title, effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014. A new section 2702 of act July 1, 1944, related to guaranteed availability of coverage, was added by Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1201(4), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 156, effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014, and is classified to section 300gg–1 of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective 18 months after May 21, 2008, see section 213 of Pub. L. 110–233, set out as a note under section 2000ff of this title.