Bill Text: TX HB3582 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating to a property right in certain genetic information.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 3)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-20 - Referred to Public Health [HB3582 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB3582-Introduced.html

---

84R8962 LED-F
By: Turner of Collin H.B. No. 3582

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a property right in certain genetic information.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Subtitle I, Title 2, Health and
Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBTITLE I. MEDICAL RECORDS AND GENETIC INFORMATION
SECTION 2. Subtitle I, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 183 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 183. PROPERTY RIGHT IN CERTAIN GENETIC INFORMATION
Sec. 183.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid.
(2) "Genetic characteristic" means a scientifically
or medically identifiable genetic or chromosomal variation,
composition, or alteration that predisposes an individual to a
disease, disorder, or syndrome.
(3) "Genetic information" means information that is:
(A) obtained from or based on a scientific or
medical determination of the presence or absence in an individual
of a genetic characteristic; or
(B) derived from the results of a genetic test
performed on an individual.
(4) "Genetic material" means blood or another
biological specimen collected to conduct a genetic test.
(5) "Genetic test" means a presymptomatic laboratory
test of an individual's genes, products, or chromosomes that:
(A) analyzes the individual's DNA, RNA,
proteins, or chromosomes; and
(B) is performed to identify a genetic
characteristic.
(6) "RNA" means ribonucleic acid.
Sec. 183.002. PROPERTY RIGHT ESTABLISHED. (a) Subject to
Subsection (b), an individual has an exclusive property right in a
sample of genetic material provided by the individual and in the
genetic information obtained as a result of a genetic test
performed on the individual's sample. A person may not, without the
informed consent of the individual or the individual's legal
guardian or authorized representative:
(1) collect a sample of genetic material from an
individual;
(2) perform a genetic test on an individual's sample;
(3) retain an individual's sample or the genetic
information obtained as a result of a genetic test performed on the
individual's sample; or
(4) disclose the genetic information obtained as a
result of a genetic test performed on an individual's sample.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) and except as provided
by Section 183.003, this chapter does not apply to a sample of
genetic material collected for:
(1) the purpose of emergency medical treatment;
(2) law enforcement purposes, including the DNA
database under Subchapter G, Chapter 411, Government Code, the
identification of a perpetrator or the investigation of a crime, or
identification of a missing, unidentified, or deceased person;
(3) the purpose of establishing paternity as
authorized under a state or federal law; or
(4) the purpose of newborn screening, in accordance
with Chapter 33.
(c) A person who has obtained the informed consent of an
individual or the individual's legal guardian or authorized
representative as required by Subsection (a) may:
(1) disclose the individual's genetic information as
authorized by Chapter 546, Insurance Code, Chapter 21, Labor Code,
or Chapter 58, Occupations Code; and
(2) retain a sample of the individual's genetic
material as authorized by Chapter 546, Insurance Code, Chapter 21,
Labor Code, or Chapter 58, Occupations Code.
(d) A general authorization for the release of an
individual's medical records does not constitute the informed
consent required by Subsection (a). An individual may revoke or
amend consent given under Subsection (a) at any time.
Sec. 183.003. CONFIDENTIALITY. (a) A person who obtains
genetic information for a purpose listed under Section 183.002(b)
may not disclose the genetic information for any other purpose.
(b) A person who holds genetic information about an
individual may not disclose or be compelled to disclose, by
subpoena or otherwise, that information without the informed
consent of the individual as provided by Section 183.002.
(c) This section applies to a redisclosure of genetic
information by a secondary recipient of the information after
disclosure of the information by an initial recipient. A person may
not redisclose genetic information without the informed consent of
the individual under Section 183.002.
Sec. 183.004. LIABILITY FOR VIOLATION OF CHAPTER. (a) A
person who violates Section 183.002 with respect to a sample of an
individual's genetic material or genetic information obtained as a
result of a genetic test performed on the individual's sample is
liable to the individual for:
(1) the amount of the individual's actual damages
sustained as a result of the violation; and
(2) the amount of any profits that are attributable to
the violation.
(b) It is a defense to a civil action for damages under this
chapter that the defendant obtained the informed consent of the
individual or the individual's legal guardian or authorized
representative required by Section 183.002(a).
Sec. 183.005. DISCRIMINATORY USE OF GENETIC INFORMATION
PROHIBITED. A person who receives state or federal funding may not
discriminate or retaliate against an individual on the basis of the
refusal of the individual to give informed consent under this
chapter.
SECTION 3. Section 546.051(a), Insurance Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) A health benefit plan issuer that requests an applicant
for coverage under the plan to submit to a genetic test in
connection with the application for coverage for a purpose not
prohibited under Section 546.052 must:
(1) notify the applicant that the test is required;
(2) disclose to the applicant the proposed use of the
test results; and
(3) obtain the applicant's [written] informed consent
as provided by Chapter 183, Health and Safety Code, before the test
is administered.
SECTION 4. Subchapter H, Chapter 21, Labor Code, is amended
by adding Section 21.4015 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.4015. INFORMED CONSENT. An employer, labor
organization, or employment agency may not obtain an individual's
genetic information without the informed consent of the individual
as provided by Chapter 183, Health and Safety Code.
SECTION 5. Subchapter B, Chapter 58, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 58.0515 to read as follows:
Sec. 58.0515. INFORMED CONSENT. A licensing authority may
not obtain an individual's genetic information without the informed
consent of the individual as provided by Chapter 183, Health and
Safety Code.
SECTION 6. Chapter 183, Health and Safety Code, as added by
this Act, applies only to a sample of genetic material collected or
provided on or after the effective date of this Act and genetic
information obtained as a result of a genetic test performed on that
sample. A sample of genetic material collected or provided before
the effective date of this Act and genetic information obtained as a
result of a genetic test performed on that sample are governed by
the law in effect immediately before that date, and that law is
continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.