CHAPTER 427. TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
TITLE 5. SANITATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
SUBTITLE G. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
CHAPTER 427. TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE
Sec. 427.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality.
(2) "Department" means the Department of State Health Services.
(3) "Federal superfund site" means a site defined by the federal
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.), as amended.
(4) "Immediately surrounding area" means an area determined by
the commission to have been significantly exposed to one or more
pollutants from the identified site.
(5) "Institute" means the Texas Environmental Health Institute.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 965, Sec. 19.01, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
87, Sec. 12.017, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 427.002. TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE. The
commission shall enter into an agreement with the department to
jointly establish the Texas Environmental Health Institute in
order to examine ways to identify, treat, manage, prevent, and
reduce health problems associated with environmental
contamination.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 965, Sec. 19.01, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
Sec. 427.003. PURPOSES. The purposes of the institute are to:
(1) develop a statewide plan to identify health conditions,
related or potentially related to environmental contamination, of
residents of this state who live or have lived within the
immediately surrounding area of a federal superfund site or a
state superfund site;
(2) develop a plan to promote and protect the health and safety
of residents in immediately surrounding areas by preventing or
reducing their health risks from exposure to chemical and
biological contaminants, radioactive materials, and other hazards
in the environment and the workplace;
(3) develop a plan for informing and educating citizens in
immediately surrounding areas about the identified health risks
and ways to prevent or reduce exposure;
(4) identify private and federal funding opportunities for
institute operations; and
(5) conduct, coordinate, or pursue funding for research
concerning short-term and long-term impacts of exposure to
environmental contamination.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 965, Sec. 19.01, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
Sec. 427.004. PROGRAMS. The commission and the department may
establish at the institute any programs necessary to carry out
the institute's established purposes under this chapter. The
commission and the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission may contract with public or private entities
to carry out the institute's purposes.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 965, Sec. 19.01, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
87, Sec. 12.018, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 427.005. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The commission and the
department may accept and administer gifts and grants to fund the
institute from any individual, corporation, trust, or foundation
or the United States, subject to limitations or conditions
imposed by law.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 965, Sec. 19.01, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
Sec. 427.006. PILOT PROJECT. (a) The institute shall conduct a
pilot project at the RSR West Dallas site and at the Cadillac
Heights site. The project may include health screenings and
assessments.
(b) The institute may enter into a memorandum of understanding
with the commission and the department for toxic screening,
pollutant assessment, toxicologist services, or any other
appropriate service to be provided by the agencies, as necessary.
(c) The institute shall use information gathered through the
pilot project to assist in developing its plan for implementing
the institute's purposes under this chapter.
(d) The pilot project shall be conducted for two years beginning
on September 1, 2001. The institute shall submit to the 78th
Legislature a report on the results of the pilot project and the
development and implementation of the statewide plan and the
further organization of the institute.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 965, Sec. 19.01, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.