SRC-DBM H.B. 134 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 134 By: McClendon (West) Criminal Justice 5/7/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, employers are required to provide chemical lists and material safety data sheets to employees, but the law does not require prison inmates to be trained to use them and to be informed about the safe use of hazardous chemicals. H.B. 134 would apply the Hazard Communication Act to certain inmates of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 134 applies the Hazard Communication Act to certain inmates of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 502, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 502.020, as follows: Sec. 502.020. APPLICATION TO CERTAIN STATE INMATES. Requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to provide a person imprisoned in a facility operated by or for TDCJ with the protections from exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace as provided for in this Act, although a person imprisoned in a facility operated by or for TDCJ is not an employee for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.