79R7357 YDB-D

By:  Veasey                                                       H.B. No. 2786



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain methods of asbestos removal.                              
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 1954, Occupations Code, is 
amended by adding Section 1954.064 to read as follows:
	Sec. 1954.064.  RULES PROHIBITING WET METHOD OF ASBESTOS 
REMOVAL; STUDY; REPORT.  (a)  In this section, "wet method" means a 
process for removing asbestos from a building by spraying areas 
that contain asbestos with water before the building is destroyed 
or the asbestos is removed.
	(b)  The executive commissioner of the Health and Human 
Services Commission by rule shall prohibit a person from using the 
wet method in an area in this state with a residential population 
density that is equal to or greater than the average population 
density per square mile of an urban area in the United States as 
determined by the United States Bureau of the Census.
	(c)  The department shall conduct a study to analyze the 
effects on the health of residents in areas described by Subsection 
(b) related to a possible previous exposure to asbestos from the use 
of the wet method.
	(d)  The department shall report the results of the study 
conducted under Subsection (c) to the House Committee on Public 
Health, or its successor, and the Senate Committee on Health and 
Human Services, or its successor.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  The executive commissioner of the Health and 
Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Section 
1954.064, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not later than 
January 1, 2006.
	(b)  The Department of State Health Services shall begin the 
study required under Section 1954.064(c), Occupations Code, as 
added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2006.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.