Oregon Code § 192.539·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Disclosure of genetic information; exceptions.
(1) Regardless of the manner of
receipt or the source of genetic information, including information received
from an individual or a blood relative of the individual, a person may not
disclose or be compelled, by subpoena or any other means, to disclose the
identity of an individual upon whom a genetic test has been performed or the
identity of a blood relative of the individual, or to disclose genetic
information about the individual or a blood relative of the individual in a
manner that permits identification of the individual, unless:
(a) Disclosure is
authorized by ORS 181A.155 or comparable provisions of federal criminal law
relating to identification of persons, or is necessary for the purpose of a
criminal or death investigation, a criminal or juvenile proceeding, an inquest,
or a child fatality review by a county child abuse multidisciplinary team;
(b) Disclosure is
required by specific court order entered pursuant to rules adopted by the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court for civil actions;
(c) Disclosure is
authorized by statute for the purpose of establishing parentage;
(d) Disclosure is
specifically authorized by the tested individual or the tested individuals
representative by signing a consent form prescribed by rules of the Oregon
Health Authority;
(e) Disclosure is
for the purpose of furnishing genetic information relating to a decedent for
medical diagnosis of blood relatives of the decedent; or
(f) Disclosure is
for the purpose of identifying bodies.
(2) The
prohibitions of this section apply to any redisclosure by any person after
another person has disclosed genetic information or the identity of an
individual upon whom a genetic test has been performed, or has disclosed
genetic information or the identity of a blood relative of the individual.
(3) A release or
publication is not a disclosure if:
(a) It involves a
good faith belief by the person who caused the release or publication that the
person was not in violation of this section;
(b) It is not due
to willful neglect;
(c) It is
corrected in the manner described in ORS 192.541 (4);
(d) The
correction with respect to genetic information is completed before the
information is read or heard by a third party; and
(e) The
correction with respect to DNA samples is completed before the sample is
retained or genetically tested by a third party. [Formerly 659.720; 2005 c.562 §22;
2009 c.595 §170; 2017 c.651 §40; 2019 c.141 §11]
Note:
See note under 192.531.
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Disclosure of genetic information; exceptions. AI-powered analysis coming soon.
Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 192.539
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
Frequently Asked Questions
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