Relating to the regulation of sanitarians and sanitarians in training.

89(R) HB 4766 - Engrossed version - Bill Text

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.