2005 Texas Health & Safety Code CHAPTER 427. TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE

HEALTH & SAFETY CODE

SUBTITLE G. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

CHAPTER 427. TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE


	§ 427.001. [DEFINITIONS].  In this chapter:                                 
		(1)  "Board" means the Texas Board of Health.                                 
		(2)  "Commission" means the Texas Natural Resource 
Conservation Commission. 
		(3)  "Department" means the Texas Department of Health.                       
		(4)  "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.
		(5)  "Immediately surrounding area" means an area 
determined by the commission to have been significantly exposed to 
one or more pollutants from the identified site.
		(6)  "Institute" means the Texas Environmental Health 
Institute.            

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 965, § 19.01, eff. Sept. 1, 
2001.     


	§ 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, § 19.01, eff. Sept. 1, 
2001.     


	§ 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, § 19.01, eff. Sept. 1, 
2001.     


	§ 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 board may contract with public or private 
entities to carry out the institute's purposes.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 965, § 19.01, eff. Sept. 1, 
2001.     


	§ 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, § 19.01, eff. Sept. 1, 
2001.     


	§ 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, § 19.01, eff. Sept. 1, 
2001.