AN ACT 1-1 relating to disposing of certain waste created by home health 1-2 providers. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 142, Health and Safety 1-5 Code, is amended by adding Section 142.020 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 142.020. DISPOSAL OF SPECIAL OR MEDICAL WASTE. (a) A 1-7 home and community support services agency that generates special 1-8 or medical waste while providing home health services must dispose 1-9 of the waste in the same manner that the home and community support 1-10 services agency disposes of special or medical waste generated in 1-11 the agency's office location. 1-12 (b) A home and community support services agency shall 1-13 provide both verbal and written instructions to the agency's client 1-14 regarding the proper procedure for disposing of sharps. Sharps 1-15 include hypodermic needles; hypodermic syringes with attached 1-16 needles; scalpel blades; razor blades, disposable razors, and 1-17 disposable scissors used in medical procedures; and intravenous 1-18 stylets and rigid introducers. 1-19 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 1-20 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-21 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-22 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-23 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-24 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1833 passed the Senate on April 19, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1833 passed the House on May 26, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor