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.