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79R9451 MCK-D
By: Coleman H.B. No. 2963
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to removal of corneal tissue from a decedent; providing
penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 692, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Sections 692.017 and 692.018 to read as follows:
Sec. 692.017. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an
offense if the person removes corneal tissue from a decedent
knowing that a gift authorizing the removal has not been made in
accordance with Section 692.003 or 692.004.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person is authorized
to accept a gift under Section 692.005 or the person is an agent or
employee of a person authorized to accept a gift under Section
692.005 and the person accepts corneal tissue removed from a
decedent knowing that a gift authorizing the removal has not been
made in accordance with Section 692.003 or 692.004.
(c) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
Sec. 692.018. CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A person who removes
corneal tissue from a decedent knowing that a gift authorizing the
removal has not been made in accordance with Section 692.003 or
692.004 is liable to the state for a civil penalty.
(b) A person authorized to accept a gift under Section
692.005 or the agent or employee of a person authorized to accept a
gift under Section 692.005 who accepts corneal tissue removed from
a decedent knowing that a gift authorizing the removal has not been
made in accordance with Section 692.003 or 692.004 is liable to the
state for a civil penalty.
(c) A civil penalty under this section may not exceed $500
for each violation. In assessing a penalty under this section, the
court shall consider the seriousness of the violation.
(d) The attorney general may sue to collect the penalty.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 693, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 693.006 to read as follows:
Sec. 693.006. REMOVAL OF CORNEAL TISSUE. On a request from
an eye bank, as defined in Section 692.002, the medical examiner,
justice of the peace, county judge, or physician designated by the
justice of the peace or county judge may permit the removal of
corneal tissue subject to the same provisions that apply to removal
of a visceral organ on the request of an organ procurement
organization under this subchapter. The provisions of this
subchapter relating to immunity and consent apply to the removal of
the corneal tissue.
SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 693, Health and Safety
Code, is repealed.
SECTION 4. This Act applies only to removal of corneal
tissue on or after September 1, 2005. Removal of corneal tissue
before September 1, 2005, is governed by the law in effect
immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect
for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.