By: Villalobos, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hall) H.B. No. 4377          (In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 2025;   May 12, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Health &   Human Services; May 23, 2025, reported favorably by the following   vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 23, 2025, sent to printer.)Click here to see the committee vote     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT     relating to the retention of certain genetic material and genetic   information by the Department of Family and Protective Services.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Section 40.084 to read as follows:          Sec. 40.084.  RETENTION OF GENETIC MATERIAL AND GENETIC   INFORMATION. (a) In this section:                (1)  "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid.                (2)  "Genetic information" means information related   to the genetic characteristics of an individual or the individual's   family that is derived from the results of a genetic analysis.                (3)  "Genetic material" means blood or another specimen   that contains DNA.                (4)  "Genetic test" means an analysis of an   individual's genetic material to determine paternity.                (5)  "Testing laboratory" means any entity the   department contracts with for the provision of laboratory services,   including genetic testing.          (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the department and   any testing laboratory used by the department shall promptly   destroy any genetic material and delete any genetic information   obtained from an individual for the purpose of a genetic test after   the purpose for which the sample was obtained is accomplished.          (c)  The department shall retain the results of a genetic   test.  The results of a genetic test are confidential under Section   40.005.          SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2026, any testing   laboratory used by the Department of Family and Protective Services   shall destroy all genetic material and delete genetic information   as required by Section 40.084, Human Resources Code, as added by   this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.     * * * * *