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


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2667
By: Capelo
Business & Industry
4/7/1999
Introduced



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 requires individuals
to meet the requirements and qualifications of an industrial hygienist,
industrial hygienist in training, or certified industrial hygienist before
an individual is authorized to use the title or represent themselves as
such. This bill establishes a civil penalty for a violation of this Act. It
also requires that no entity of state or local government prohibit or
restrict the practice of industrial hygiene by any qualified individual,
with exceptions. It also sets forth persons who are exempt from this 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. SHORT TITLE. Authorizes this Act to be cited as the Industrial
Hygiene Title Recognition Act.  

SECTION 2. PURPOSE. Sets forth the purpose of this bill.

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS. Defines "accredited college or university,"
"American Board of Industrial Hygiene," "certified industrial hygienist,"
"education," "experience," "industrial hygiene," "industrial hygiene
certification organization," "industrial hygienist," and "industrial
hygienist in training."  

SECTION 4. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION. Requires individuals to meet the
requirements and qualifications of an industrial hygienist, industrial
hygienist in training, or certified industrial hygienist as set out in this
Act before such individuals are authorized to use the title or represent
themselves to the public as such, or use any other term involving the words
"industrial hygiene" or variation of such words.  

SECTION 5. ENFORCEMENT.  Sets forth that a person who violates the
provisions of this Act is subject to a civil penalty of no more than
$1,000.  

SECTION 6. EFFECT ON OTHER REGULATION.  Requires no entity of state or
local government to by rule or by other means prohibit or restrict the
practice of industrial hygiene by any qualified individual who complies
with the provisions established by or under this Act, except where
authorized by state statute to regulate a specific activity that may
include the practice of industrial hygiene.  

SECTION 7. EXEMPTIONS. Sets forth exemptions to this Act. 

SECTION 8.Effective date: September 1, 1999.  

SECTION 9.Emergency clause.