SALT LAKE CITY?The Utah Legislature may consider a bill that would protect consumers against their DNA data being used against them by insurers.

The bill would require informed consent from a patient before a DNA sample could be taken for genetic analysis and restrict what medical-insurance providers can be told about the results.

The draft legislation is sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray, R Clearfield. It would establish state guidelines for genetic privacy and discrimination.

The matter is expected to be approved by the Health and Human Services Interim Committee at its meeting next month. It then could be considered during the Utah Legislature’s general session in January.