89R10114 DNC-F
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 2444
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.