Genetic Testing

Provides for protection against discrimination by employers with 15 or more employees, employment agencies, labor unions, or public employers (county, municipality, state agency, or state instrumentality) regardless of number of people employed based on information about an individual's genetic characteristics or on the refusal of an individual to take a genetic test.
Provides that any health plan may not use genetic information or the refusal of an applicant to submit to a genetic test to reject, deny, limit, cancel, refuse to renew, increase the premiums for, or otherwise adversely affect eligibility for or coverage under the plan.
Provides that a licensing authority may not deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew an occupational license based on genetic information, or the refusal of an applicant to submit to a genetic test.
Provides a civil penalty if a person improperly discloses genetic information.
Employers must keep genetic testing confidential unless an individual specifically authorizes release of such information, or unless they are required to release information pursuant to a court order, or otherwise required by law.
Individuals have the right to know the results of any genetic tests.

Texas Statutes

(800) 669-4000, TTY (800) 669-6820