Use of Genetic Information in Occupational Licensing
Texas Occupational Licensing Genetic Privacy
Genetic
Prevents licensing authorities from denying, suspending, or disciplining occupational licenses based on genetic information or refusal to take a genetic test, and makes genetic information confidential with a right to test results and sample destruction.
- Where
- Texas
- Citation
- Tex. Occ. Code ch. 58 (58.001-58.105)
- Status
- In force
- In force since
- 2003-09-01
- Last amended
- 2005-09-01
- Enforced by
- Texas Attorney General (civil penalty)
- People can sue
- No
- Penalties
- Civil penalty up to $10,000 for unauthorized disclosure (58.105).
- Applies to
- State occupational licensing authorities (58.051)
- Any person holding genetic information about a license applicant or holder (58.102)
Rights it gives people
- Tested individuals may obtain their results on written request.Tex. Occ. Code 58.101
Practices it requires
- Licensing authorities may not deny, suspend, revoke, refuse to renew, or discipline a license based on genetic information or refusal to be tested.Tex. Occ. Code 58.051
- Destroy genetic samples promptly after the purpose is accomplished unless an exception applies.Tex. Occ. Code 58.052
- Keep genetic information confidential; disclose only by written authorization or listed exception.Tex. Occ. Code 58.102-58.104
Sources
- Official text
- Tex. Occ. Code ch. 58 (Texas Legislature, Texas Constitution and Statutes)
- Tex. Occ. Code ch. 58, statute text file served by the Texas Legislative Council
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-24 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Research reference, not legal advice.