HBA-ATS, DMD H.B. 2667 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2667
By: Capelo
Business & Industry
6/8/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Industrial hygienists are responsible for evaluating the health effects of
chemicals or noise in the workplace and then implementing programs to
reduce or eliminate those workplace hazards.  H.B. 2667 prohibits a person
from using the title of, or representing oneself as, a "certified
industrial hygienist" or "industrial hygienist in training," unless the
person meets certain requirements and qualifications.  This bill provides a
penalty for a violation of the Industrial Hygiene Title Recognition Act. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 20, Title 132, V.T.C.S., by adding Article 9034,
as follows: 

Art. 9034. INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE TITLE RECOGNITION ACT

Sec. 1. SHORT TITLE. Authorizes this article to be cited as the Industrial
Hygiene Title Recognition Act.  

Sec. 2. PURPOSE. Sets forth the purpose of this article.

Sec. 3. DEFINITIONS. Defines "American Board of Industrial Hygiene,"
"certified industrial hygienist" or "CIH," "industrial hygiene
certification organization," and "industrial hygienist in training" or
"IHIT."  

Sec. 4. PROTECTION OF TITLES. Prohibits a person from using the title of,
or representing oneself, as a "certified industrial hygienist," "CIH," or
"industrial hygienist in training," "IHIT," unless the person meets the
requirements and qualifications for that title under the definitions of
this article. 

Sec. 5. CIVIL PENALTY. Sets forth that a violation of Section 4 of this
article is punishable by a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each
violation. Authorizes the attorney general to bring an action to collect
the penalty. Requires a penalty collected under this subsection to be
deposited in the general revenue fund. 

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.  
     
SECTION 3.Emergency clause.