Relating to a property right in DNA; providing injunctive relief and a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.

89(R) SB 315 - House Committee Report version - Bill Text

89R31067 RAL-D

By: Kolkhorst, et al.

S.B. No. 315

(Harris Davila)

Substitute the following for S.B. No. 315:
No.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a property right in DNA; providing injunctive relief

and a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Title 1, Property Code, is amended by adding

Chapter 3 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 3.

PROPERTY RIGHT IN DNA

Sec. 3.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid.

(2)

"DNA sample" means a blood sample or other

biological sample or specimen provided by an individual for the

purpose of conducting DNA analysis or storage.

(3)

"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.

(4)

"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.

(5) "RNA" means ribonucleic acid.

Sec.

3.002.

PROPERTY RIGHT ESTABLISHED. (a) Subject to

Subsections (b) and (c), an individual has an exclusive property

right in the individual's unique DNA.

A person may not, without the

informed, written consent of the individual or the individual's

legal guardian or authorized representative:

(1) collect a DNA sample from an individual;

(2)

perform a genetic test on an individual's DNA

sample;

(3) retain an individual's DNA sample;

(4) alter or modify an individual's DNA;

(5)

sell or otherwise transfer to another person an

individual's DNA sample; or

(6)

make available or allow to be made available to

another person an individual's DNA sample.

(b)

Notwithstanding Subsection (a), this chapter does not

apply:

(1) to a DNA sample collected or received for:

(A)

the purpose of medical diagnosis and

treatment;

(B) the purpose of determining paternity;

(C)

law enforcement purposes, including the

identification of a perpetrator, the investigation of a crime, or

the identification of a missing, unidentified, or deceased person;

(D)

medical examiner purposes, including the

performance of an inquest to determine the cause or circumstance of

death under Article 49.25, Code of Criminal Procedure;

(E)

research, as defined by 45 C.F.R. Section

164.501, that is conducted in accordance with:

(i)

the federal policy for the protection

of human subjects (45 C.F.R. Part 46);

(ii)

the good clinical practice guidelines

issued by the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical

Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH); or

(iii)

the United States Food and Drug

Administration policy for the protection of human subjects (21

C.F.R. Parts 50 and 56);

(F)

use, analysis, storage, or transfer by an

institution of higher education or a private or independent

institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by

Section 61.003, Education Code; or

(G)

any other similar use under the laws of this

state or another jurisdiction; or

(2) to an entity that:

(A)

is a covered entity or business associate, as

defined by 45 C.F.R. Part 160, subject to the privacy, security, and

breach notification rules under the Health Insurance Portability

and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.);

(B)

offers genetic testing products or services

through a health care provider; or

(C) is a health care provider.

Sec.

3.003.

CIVIL PENALTY; INJUNCTION.

(a) A person who

violates Section 3.002 is liable to the state for a civil penalty

not to exceed the amount of any profits that are attributable to the

violation.

The amount of profits under this subsection may be

established by showing the gross revenue attributable to the

unauthorized use minus any expenses that the person who committed

the unauthorized use may prove.

(b)

Subject to Subsection (a), the amount of a civil penalty

under this section shall be based on:

(1)

the seriousness of the violation, including the

nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation;

(2) the economic harm caused by the violation;

(3) the history of previous violations;

(4) the amount necessary to deter a future violation;

(5) efforts to correct the violation; and

(6) any other matter that justice may require.

(c)

If it appears that a person has violated Section 3.002,

the attorney general may institute an action for a civil penalty,

injunctive relief, or both.

(d)

The attorney general may recover reasonable attorney's

fees and expenses and court costs incurred in recovering a civil

penalty or obtaining injunctive relief under this section.

Sec.

3.004.

CRIMINAL PENALTY. A person commits an offense

if the person, with criminal negligence, violates Section 3.002.

An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

SECTION 2. Chapter 3, Property Code, as added by this Act,

does not apply to the use or retention of a DNA sample collected or

provided before the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.