SRC-JEC S.B. 12 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 12 By: Nelson Business & Commerce 5/24/2001 Enrolled DIGEST AND PURPOSE Information about a person's genetic predispositions to certain diseases or medical conditions is increasingly available. The 75th Legislature made it illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of genetic information or to require individuals to submit to genetic testing as a condition of employment. S.B. 12 expands the definitions of "genetic information" and "genetic test" to prevent employers, licensing authorities, and insurance companies from discriminating on the basis of certain genetic information or genetic tests. It also prevents employers from discriminating on the basis of family health information which may contain details that could be used to determine an individual's genetic predisposition to certain diseases. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 21.401, Labor Code, to define "family health history" and "genetic characteristic." Redefines "genetic information" and "genetic test." SECTION 2. Renumbers Article 9031, V.T.C.S., as Article 9032, V.T.C.S., and amends it, as follows: Sec. 1. Makes conforming changes. Sec. 2. New heading: PROHIBITIONS. Prohibits a licensing authority from denying an application for an occupational license, or taking any other disciplinary action against a license holder based on the refusal of the applicant or license holder to submit a family health history. SECTION 3. Amends Section 1, Article 21.73, Insurance Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2001. SECTION 5. Makes application of Article 9031, V.T.C.S., as amended by this Act, prospective. SECTION 6. Makes application of Section 21.401, Labor Code, as amended by this Act, prospective. SECTION 7. Makes application of Article 21.73, Insurance Code, as amended by this Act, prospective to January 1, 2002.