89R4352 SRA-F     By: Hughes S.B. No. 2429       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to genetic information security for residents of this   state; providing a civil penalty; providing a private cause of   action.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle H, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by adding Chapter 174 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 174. SECURITY OF GENETIC INFORMATION          Sec. 174.001.  SHORT TITLE.  This chapter may be cited as the   Texas Genomic Act of 2025.          Sec. 174.002.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                (1)  "Company" means a sole proprietorship,   organization, association, corporation, partnership, joint   venture, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or   limited liability company that exists to make a profit. The term   includes a wholly owned subsidiary, majority-owned subsidiary,   parent company, or affiliate of those entities or business   associations.                (2)  "Domicile" means the country in which:                      (A)  a company or nonprofit organization is   formed, incorporated, or registered and headquartered;                      (B)  a company's or nonprofit organization's   affairs are primarily conducted; or                      (C)  the majority of the company's ownership   shares are held.                (3)  "Foreign adversary" has the meaning assigned by 15   C.F.R. Section 791.4(a).                (4)  "Genome sequencer" means any device or platform   used to conduct genome sequencing, resequencing, or isolation or   other genome research.                (5)  "Genome sequencing" means any method used to   determine the identity and order of nucleotide bases in the human   genome.                 (6)  "Human genome" means the set of DNA found in human   cells.                (7)  "Medical facility" means a facility licensed or   registered by a state or federal agency to provide health care   services that receives any state funding, including pass-through   federal money provided to a state agency for grant awards.                (8)  "Software" means computer programs and related   equipment used for genome sequencing or the operation, control,   analysis, research, or other functions of genome sequencers.          Sec. 174.003.  APPLICABILITY. This chapter applies to a   medical facility, research facility, company, or nonprofit   organization that conducts research on or testing of genome   sequencing or the human genome in this state.          Sec. 174.004.  PURPOSE AND LEGISLATIVE POLICY.  (a)  The   purpose of this chapter is to ensure that a medical facility,   research facility, company, or nonprofit organization subject to   this chapter and acting on behalf of a foreign adversary does not   gain access to the genetic information of residents of this state.          (b)  The policy of this state is to:                (1)  oppose the collection and analysis of genomic   information by a foreign adversary or for use by a foreign   adversary; and                (2)  support sanctions the United States Department of   Commerce or the United States Department of Defense imposes on a   medical facility, research facility, company, or nonprofit   organization engaged in the collection and analysis of genomic   information for use by a foreign adversary.          Sec. 174.005.  PROHIBITED USE OF CERTAIN GENOME SEQUENCERS   AND GENOME SEQUENCING TECHNOLOGIES.  A medical facility, research   facility, company, or nonprofit organization subject to this   chapter may not use a genome sequencer or software produced by or on   behalf of:                (1)  a foreign adversary;                (2)  a state-owned enterprise of a foreign adversary;                (3)  a company or nonprofit organization domiciled   within the borders of a country that is a foreign adversary; or                (4)  an owned or controlled subsidiary or affiliate of   a company or nonprofit organization domiciled within the borders of   a country that is a foreign adversary.          Sec. 174.006.  REQUIREMENTS FOR GENOMIC INFORMATION   STORAGE.  (a)  A medical facility, research facility, company, or   nonprofit organization subject to this chapter shall store all   genome sequencing data of residents of this state only at a location   in the United States.          (b)  A medical facility, research facility, company, or   nonprofit organization subject to this chapter that stores genome   sequencing data of residents of this state, including storage of   genome sequencing data through a contract with a third-party data   storage company, shall ensure the security of the genome sequencing   data using reasonable encryption methods, restriction on access,   and other cybersecurity best practices.          (c)  Except as authorized by the attorney general under   Subsection (d), a medical facility, research facility, company, or   nonprofit organization subject to this chapter shall ensure genome   sequencing data of residents of this state, other than open data, is   inaccessible to any person located outside of the United States.          (d)  A medical facility, research facility, company, or   nonprofit organization subject to this chapter that stores genome   sequencing data of residents of this state may apply to the attorney   general in the form and manner prescribed by attorney general rule   to allow remote access to genome sequencing data of residents of   this state by persons located outside of the United States. The   attorney general may allow remote access to genome sequencing data   of residents of this state only if the attorney general determines   that:                (1)  remote access is necessary for the facility,   company, or organization to perform its functions;                 (2)  appropriate security safeguards are implemented   for remote access; and                (3)  remote access is not available to any person   located within the borders of a country that is a foreign adversary.          Sec. 174.007.  REQUIRED ANNUAL CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE.   (a)  Not later than December 31 of each year, a medical facility,   research facility, company, or nonprofit organization subject to   this chapter shall certify to the attorney general that the   facility, company, or organization is in compliance with this   chapter.          (b)  An attorney representing a medical facility, research   facility, company, or nonprofit organization subject to this   chapter shall submit the certification required under Subsection   (a).          Sec. 174.008.  INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY OF ATTORNEY GENERAL.     (a)  The attorney general may investigate an allegation of a   violation of this chapter.          (b)  Any person may notify the attorney general of a   violation or potential violation of this chapter.          Sec. 174.009.  CIVIL PENALTY.  (a)  A medical facility,   research facility, company, or nonprofit organization that   violates this chapter is liable to this state for a civil penalty of   $10,000 for each violation.          (b)  The attorney general may bring an action to recover the   civil penalty imposed under this section.          (c)  An action under this section may be brought in a   district court in:                (1)  Travis County; or                (2)  a county in which any part of the violation occurs.          (d)  The attorney general shall deposit a civil penalty   collected under this section in the state treasury to the credit of   the general revenue fund.          (e)  The attorney general may recover reasonable expenses   incurred in obtaining a civil penalty under this section, including   court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, investigative costs,   witness fees, and deposition expenses.          Sec. 174.010.  PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION.  (a)  A resident of   this state who is a patient or research subject of a medical   facility, research facility, company, or nonprofit organization   subject to this chapter and who is harmed by the storage or use of   the patient's or subject's genome sequencing data in violation of   this chapter may bring an action against the facility, company, or   organization that violated this chapter and is entitled to obtain:                (1)  the greater of:                       (A)  actual damages; or                      (B)  statutory damages in an amount not to exceed   $5,000 for each violation; and                (2)  court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.          (b)  Sections 41.003 and 41.004, Civil Practice and Remedies   Code, do not apply to an action brought under this section.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of   this Act.  A cause of action that accrues before the effective date   of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the cause of   action accrued, and the former law is continued in effect for that   purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.