HBA-MPM S.B. 261 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 261
By: Bernsen
Public Health
4/27/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), reptiles carry a wide
variety of salmonella stereotypes, many of which can be transmitted to
humans. The disease includes such symptoms as fever, muscle aches,
headache, and malaise, followed by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and
diarrhea.  Some types of the salmonella bacteria cause septicemia, which
can result in a disease of longer duration and greater severity.   The CDC
warns that such reptiles present a particular danger in homes with infants,
elderly persons, or others at increased risk for salmonella infections.
Senate Bill 261 requires the owner of a pet store that sells reptiles to
post a sign warning of reptile-associated salmonellosis and provide a
written warning of the disease to the purchaser of a reptile. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Board of Health in SECTION 1
(Section 81.352, Health and Safety Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 261 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the owner or
operator of a pet store  that sells reptiles to post a sign warning of
reptile-associated salmonellosis in accordance with Texas Board of Health
(board) rules, and to ensure that a written warning is provided to each
purchaser of a reptile.  The board is required to adopt rules governing the
form and content of the sign and written warning, and the manner and place
of posting the sign.  The bill authorizes the Texas Department of Health to
impose an administrative penalty of no more than $500 for each violation of
these requirements. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.