HB4766 - Relating to the regulation of sanitarians and sanitarians in training.

  89R10114 DNC-F     By: Phelan H.B. No. 4766       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the regulation of sanitarians and sanitarians in   training.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 1953.001, Occupations Code, is amended   by amending Subdivision (3) and adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as   follows:                (3)  "Sanitarian" means an individual [ a person ]   trained in sanitary science to perform duties relating to education   and inspections in environmental sanitation.                 (3-a)     "Sanitarian in training" means an individual   training in sanitary science while engaged in sanitation.          SECTION 2.  Section 1953.003, Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 1953.003.  EXEMPTIONS.  This chapter does not apply to   an individual [ a person ], including a physician, dentist, engineer,   or veterinarian, who is licensed by an agency of this state other   than the department and who, by nature of the individual's   [ person's ] employment or duties, might be construed as being   subject to this chapter.          SECTION 3.  Section 1953.101, Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 1953.101.  REGISTRATION REQUIRED.   An individual [ A   person ] who engages or offers to engage in work in sanitation may   not represent that the individual [ person ] is a sanitarian or use a   title containing the word "sanitarian" unless the individual   [ person ] holds a certificate of registration under this chapter.          SECTION 4.  Section 1953.102, Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 1953.102.  ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.  (a)  To be   eligible to receive a certificate of registration as a   [ professional ] sanitarian, an individual [ a person ] must:                (1)  hold at least a bachelor's degree from an   accredited college or university that includes at least 30 semester   hours in basic or applied science;                (2)  complete any additional training in the basic   sciences or public health the department determines necessary to   effectively serve as a [ professional ] sanitarian; and                (3)  have at least two years of full-time experience in   sanitation.          (b)  The commission by rule may establish additional [ other ]   qualifications for registration.          SECTION 5.  The heading to Section 1953.104, Occupations   Code, is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 1953.104.  ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE: [ PROFESSIONAL ]   SANITARIAN; TERM.          SECTION 6.  Section 1953.104(a), Occupations Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  The department shall issue a certificate of   registration as a [ professional ] sanitarian to an individual [ a   person ] who:                (1)  applies in the manner and on the form prescribed by   the executive director;                (2)  pays the registration fee set by the commission by   rule;                (3)  meets the eligibility requirements prescribed by   Section 1953.102 and commission rule ; and                (4)  passes the [ an ] examination required by Section   1953.151 [ under Subchapter D ].          SECTION 7.  Section 1953.105(a), Occupations Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  The department shall issue a certificate of   registration as a sanitarian in training to an individual [ a   person ] who:                (1)  is employed in sanitation;                (2)  meets the eligibility requirements prescribed by   Section 1953.102, other than the requirements relating to   experience;                (3)   has less than one year of full-time experience in   sanitation;                 (4)   pays a registration fee prescribed by the   commission by rule for a sanitarian in training; and                 (5)  [ (4) ]  passes an examination under Subchapter D.          SECTION 8.  Section 1953.106, Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 1953.106.  RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATE.   The department   shall [ To ] renew a certificate of registration under this chapter   if the certificate holder [ , a professional sanitarian must ]:                (1)   pays  [ pay ] to the department a renewal fee   prescribed by the commission by rule; and                (2)   provides  [ provide ] proof of completion of any   applicable continuing education requirements prescribed by the   commission by rule.          SECTION 9.  Section 1953.201(a), Occupations Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  The commission or executive director may deny an   individual's [ a person's ] application for a certificate of   registration if:                (1)  the individual's [ person's ] certificate or license   to engage in a profession in this state or elsewhere has been   revoked for unprofessional conduct, fraud, deceit, negligence, or   misconduct in the practice of the profession; or                (2)  satisfactory proof is presented to the commission   or executive director establishing that the individual [ person ] has   been found guilty of unprofessional conduct, fraud, deceit,   negligence, or misconduct in the practice of a profession.          SECTION 10.  Sections 1953.151(b) and (c), Occupations Code,   are repealed.          SECTION 11.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.