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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring warning signs regarding mercury levels in |
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certain fish. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 436, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 436.004 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 436.004. WARNING SIGN REGARDING MERCURY LEVELS IN |
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CERTAIN FISH. (a) A retail fish dealer shall post a warning sign in |
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a conspicuous location where it is readily visible by persons |
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purchasing fresh or previously frozen fish. The executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission by rule |
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shall specify the size and graphic design of the sign. The sign |
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must be printed in the two languages that are most commonly spoken |
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in the area in which the dealer is located and contain wording in |
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those languages equivalent to the following: |
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ATTENTION WOMEN CONSIDERING BECOMING PREGNANT, PREGNANT |
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WOMEN, NURSING MOTHERS, AND PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN |
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Some fish and shellfish, especially large fish such as shark, |
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swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish, contain high levels of |
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mercury that may harm the developing nervous system of a child. |
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For more information about the risks of mercury in fish and |
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shellfish call the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's food |
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information line toll-free at (insert toll-free telephone number). |
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(b) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall adopt rules to administer this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |