By Solomons                                     H.J.R. No. 66

      75R2358 MCK-F                           

                                 A JOINT RESOLUTION

 1-1     proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a right of

 1-2     privacy in a person's genetic information.

 1-3           BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-4           SECTION 1.  Article I, Texas Constitution, is amended by

 1-5     adding Section 31 to read as follows:

 1-6           Sec. 31.  RIGHT TO PRIVACY IN GENETIC INFORMATION.  (a)  A

 1-7     person may not be compelled to provide or disclose genetic

 1-8     information.

 1-9           (b)  A person or entity that has access to another person's

1-10     genetic information may not disclose or be compelled to disclose

1-11     the person's genetic information without the voluntary and express

1-12     written consent of the person.

1-13           (c)  A person or entity may not discriminate against another

1-14     person on the basis of genetic information.

1-15           (d)  Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to

1-16     genetic information relevant to a criminal investigation or

1-17     proceeding, an investigation by a representative of the state into

1-18     the cause and circumstances of a death, the identification of a

1-19     deceased missing person or of human remains from a disaster or for

1-20     humanitarian purposes, or the establishment of paternity.

1-21           SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be

1-22     submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 1997.

1-23     The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the

1-24     proposition:  "The constitutional amendment to provide a right of

 2-1     privacy in a person's genetic information."