Use of Genetic Testing Information by Health Benefit Plans
Texas Insurance Genetic Privacy
Genetic · Health
Limits how health plan issuers may request and use genetic tests. Issuers may not use genetic information or a refusal to be tested to reject, deny, limit, or price coverage, must keep genetic information confidential, and must destroy samples after use.
- Where
- Texas
- Citation
- Tex. Ins. Code ch. 546 (546.001-546.152)
- Status
- In force
- In force since
- 2005-04-01
- Last amended
- 2005-09-01
- Enforced by
- Texas Commissioner of Insurance (Texas Department of Insurance)
- People can sue
- No
- Penalties
- Cease and desist orders and administrative penalties under Insurance Code ch. 84 (546.151-546.152).
- Applies to
- Issuers of health benefit plans described in 546.002, with exceptions in 546.003
Rights it gives people
- Tested individuals may obtain their results on written request.Tex. Ins. Code 546.101
Practices it requires
- Do not use genetic information or refusal to submit to a genetic test to reject, deny, limit, cancel, refuse to renew, raise premiums for, or otherwise adversely affect eligibility or coverage.Tex. Ins. Code 546.052
- Genetic testing requested in connection with an application is allowed only as the chapter permits; inducements are prohibited.Tex. Ins. Code 546.051
- Keep genetic information confidential and disclose only with an authorization that meets 546.104 or under listed exceptions.Tex. Ins. Code 546.102-546.104
- Destroy genetic samples promptly after the testing purpose is accomplished unless an exception applies.Tex. Ins. Code 546.054
Sources
- Official text
- Tex. Ins. Code ch. 546 (Texas Legislature, Texas Constitution and Statutes)
- Tex. Ins. Code ch. 546, 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.