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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the accreditation of basic food safety education and |
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training programs for food handlers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 438.041, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 438.041. DEFINITION. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Department"[, "department"] means the [Texas] |
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Department of State Health Services. |
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(2) "Food handler" means a food service employee who |
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works with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or |
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food-contact surfaces. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 438, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 438.0431 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 438.0431. BASIC FOOD SAFETY ACCREDITATION. |
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(a) Notwithstanding Section 438.043, the department may accredit |
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an education or training program for basic food safety for food |
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handlers as provided by this section. |
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(b) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall by rule define the basic food safety |
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training or education required to be included in a course |
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curriculum. The course length may not exceed two hours. |
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(c) A training or education program accredited under this |
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section may require a participant to achieve a passing score on an |
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examination to successfully complete the course for certification. |
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(d) A program accredited under this section may be delivered |
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through the Internet. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |