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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of sanitarians and sanitarians in |
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training. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1953.001, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by amending Subdivision (3) and adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as |
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follows: |
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(3) "Sanitarian" means an individual [a person] |
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trained in sanitary science to perform duties relating to education |
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and inspections in environmental sanitation. |
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(3-a) "Sanitarian in training" means an individual |
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training in sanitary science while engaged in sanitation. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1953.003, Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1953.003. EXEMPTIONS. This chapter does not apply to |
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an individual [a person], including a physician, dentist, engineer, |
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or veterinarian, who is licensed by an agency of this state other |
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than the department and who, by nature of the individual's |
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[person's] employment or duties, might be construed as being |
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subject to this chapter. |
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SECTION 3. Section 1953.101, Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1953.101. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. An individual [A |
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person] who engages or offers to engage in work in sanitation may |
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not represent that the individual [person] is a sanitarian or use a |
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title containing the word "sanitarian" unless the individual |
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[person] holds a certificate of registration under this chapter. |
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SECTION 4. Section 1953.102, Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1953.102. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. (a) To be |
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eligible to receive a certificate of registration as a |
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[professional] sanitarian, an individual [a person] must: |
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(1) hold at least a bachelor's degree from an |
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accredited college or university that includes at least 30 semester |
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hours in basic or applied science; |
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(2) complete any additional training in the basic |
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sciences or public health the department determines necessary to |
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effectively serve as a [professional] sanitarian; and |
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(3) have at least two years of full-time experience in |
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sanitation. |
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(b) The commission by rule may establish additional [other] |
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qualifications for registration. |
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SECTION 5. The heading to Section 1953.104, Occupations |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1953.104. ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE: [PROFESSIONAL] |
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SANITARIAN; TERM. |
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SECTION 6. Section 1953.104(a), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The department shall issue a certificate of |
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registration as a [professional] sanitarian to an individual [a |
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person] who: |
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(1) applies in the manner and on the form prescribed by |
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the executive director; |
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(2) pays the registration fee set by the commission by |
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rule; |
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(3) meets the eligibility requirements prescribed by |
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Section 1953.102 and commission rule; and |
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(4) passes the [an] examination required by Section |
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1953.151 [under Subchapter D]. |
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SECTION 7. Section 1953.105(a), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The department shall issue a certificate of |
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registration as a sanitarian in training to an individual [a |
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person] who: |
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(1) is employed in sanitation; |
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(2) meets the eligibility requirements prescribed by |
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Section 1953.102, other than the requirements relating to |
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experience; |
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(3) has less than one year of full-time experience in |
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sanitation; |
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(4) pays a registration fee prescribed by the |
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commission by rule for a sanitarian in training; and |
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(5) [(4)] passes an examination under Subchapter D. |
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SECTION 8. Section 1953.106, Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1953.106. RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATE. The department |
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shall [To] renew a certificate of registration under this chapter |
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if the certificate holder [, a professional sanitarian must]: |
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(1) pays [pay] to the department a renewal fee |
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prescribed by the commission by rule; and |
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(2) provides [provide] proof of completion of any |
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applicable continuing education requirements prescribed by the |
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commission by rule. |
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SECTION 9. Section 1953.201(a), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The commission or executive director may deny an |
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individual's [a person's] application for a certificate of |
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registration if: |
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(1) the individual's [person's] certificate or license |
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to engage in a profession in this state or elsewhere has been |
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revoked for unprofessional conduct, fraud, deceit, negligence, or |
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misconduct in the practice of the profession; or |
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(2) satisfactory proof is presented to the commission |
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or executive director establishing that the individual [person] has |
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been found guilty of unprofessional conduct, fraud, deceit, |
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negligence, or misconduct in the practice of a profession. |
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SECTION 10. Sections 1953.151(b) and (c), Occupations Code, |
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are repealed. |
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SECTION 11. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |