The text as introduced · 757 words
89R10114 DNC-F
By: Phelan
H.B. No. 4766
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of sanitarians and sanitarians in
training.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1953.001, Occupations Code, is amended
by amending Subdivision (3) and adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as
follows:
(3) "Sanitarian" means an individual [ a person ]
trained in sanitary science to perform duties relating to education
and inspections in environmental sanitation.
(3-a) "Sanitarian in training" means an individual
training in sanitary science while engaged in sanitation.
SECTION 2. Section 1953.003, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1953.003. EXEMPTIONS. This chapter does not apply to
an individual [ a person ], including a physician, dentist, engineer,
or veterinarian, who is licensed by an agency of this state other
than the department and who, by nature of the individual's
[ person's ] employment or duties, might be construed as being
subject to this chapter.
SECTION 3. Section 1953.101, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1953.101. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. An individual [ A
person ] who engages or offers to engage in work in sanitation may
not represent that the individual [ person ] is a sanitarian or use a
title containing the word "sanitarian" unless the individual
[ person ] holds a certificate of registration under this chapter.
SECTION 4. Section 1953.102, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1953.102. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. (a) To be
eligible to receive a certificate of registration as a
[ professional ] sanitarian, an individual [ a person ] must:
(1) hold at least a bachelor's degree from an
accredited college or university that includes at least 30 semester
hours in basic or applied science;
(2) complete any additional training in the basic
sciences or public health the department determines necessary to
effectively serve as a [ professional ] sanitarian; and
(3) have at least two years of full-time experience in
sanitation.
(b) The commission by rule may establish additional [ other ]
qualifications for registration.
SECTION 5. The heading to Section 1953.104, Occupations
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 1953.104. ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE: [ PROFESSIONAL ]
SANITARIAN; TERM.
SECTION 6. Section 1953.104(a), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The department shall issue a certificate of
registration as a [ professional ] sanitarian to an individual [ a
person ] who:
(1) applies in the manner and on the form prescribed by
the executive director;
(2) pays the registration fee set by the commission by
rule;
(3) meets the eligibility requirements prescribed by
Section 1953.102 and commission rule ; and
(4) passes the [ an ] examination required by Section
1953.151 [ under Subchapter D ].
SECTION 7. Section 1953.105(a), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The department shall issue a certificate of
registration as a sanitarian in training to an individual [ a
person ] who:
(1) is employed in sanitation;
(2) meets the eligibility requirements prescribed by
Section 1953.102, other than the requirements relating to
experience;
(3) has less than one year of full-time experience in
sanitation;
(4) pays a registration fee prescribed by the
commission by rule for a sanitarian in training; and
(5) [ (4) ] passes an examination under Subchapter D.
SECTION 8. Section 1953.106, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1953.106. RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATE. The department
shall [ To ] renew a certificate of registration under this chapter
if the certificate holder [ , a professional sanitarian must ]:
(1) pays [ pay ] to the department a renewal fee
prescribed by the commission by rule; and
(2) provides [ provide ] proof of completion of any
applicable continuing education requirements prescribed by the
commission by rule.
SECTION 9. Section 1953.201(a), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The commission or executive director may deny an
individual's [ a person's ] application for a certificate of
registration if:
(1) the individual's [ person's ] certificate or license
to engage in a profession in this state or elsewhere has been
revoked for unprofessional conduct, fraud, deceit, negligence, or
misconduct in the practice of the profession; or
(2) satisfactory proof is presented to the commission
or executive director establishing that the individual [ person ] has
been found guilty of unprofessional conduct, fraud, deceit,
negligence, or misconduct in the practice of a profession.
SECTION 10. Sections 1953.151(b) and (c), Occupations Code,
are repealed.
SECTION 11. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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