By: Stephenson, Ramos, Reynolds H.B. No. 2148

(Senate Sponsor - Kolkhorst)

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 2021; May 12, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs; May 19, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 19, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 2148 By: Kolkhorst

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to notification by the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of incidents of Naegleria fowleri.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 341, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 341.0646 to read as follows:

Sec. 341.0646. NOTIFICATION OF INCIDENTS OF NAEGLERIA FOWLERI. As soon as possible after the department detects or becomes aware of human infection, including primary amebic meningoencephalitis, caused by the presence of the Naegleria fowleri amoeba in a swimming pool, a freshwater lake used for swimming, a public drinking water source, or a park with splashpads or other outdoor features using freshwater for amusement purposes, the department shall notify the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The commission shall notify the appropriate public water systems as soon as possible after receiving notice under this section.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

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