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.