Bearder v. State

Summary

The Minnesota Supreme Court considered whether newborn blood samples retained by the Minnesota Department of Health constitute genetic information under the Genetic Privacy Act. The court held that the blood samples are protected biological information and that the newborn screening statutes expressly authorize their collection, limited use, certain storage, and reporting only to the extent necessary for the screening program and follow-up services. The court reversed summary judgment and remanded for further proceedings concerning potential violations and available remedies.