HBA-MPM, MPA H.B. 134 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 134
By: McClendon
Public Health
6/7/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 76th Legislative Session, employers were required to provide
chemical lists and material safety data sheets to employees, but the law
did not require prison inmates to be trained to use and informed about safe
use of hazardous chemicals.  H.B. 134 requires the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice to inform inmates of hazardous chemicals they may handle. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 502, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section
502.020, to require  
the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (department) to provide a person
imprisoned in a facility operated by or for the department with protections
from exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace, although a person
imprisoned in such a facility is not considered an employee for purposes of
this Act. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
            Effective date:  upon passage.