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H.B. No. 1544
AN ACT
relating to removal of corneal tissue from a decedent; providing
penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 692, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Section 692.017 to read as follows:
Sec. 692.017. CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A person who removes
corneal tissue from a decedent knowing that a gift authorizing the
removal has not been made in accordance with Section 692.003 or
692.004 is liable to the state for a civil penalty.
(b) A person authorized to accept a gift under Section
692.005 or the agent or employee of a person authorized to accept a
gift under Section 692.005 who accepts corneal tissue removed from
a decedent knowing that a gift authorizing the removal has not been
made in accordance with Section 692.003 or 692.004 is liable to the
state for a civil penalty.
(c) A civil penalty under this section may not exceed $500
for each violation. In assessing a penalty under this section, the
court shall consider the seriousness of the violation.
(d) The attorney general may sue to collect the penalty.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 693, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 693.006 to read as follows:
Sec. 693.006. REMOVAL OF CORNEAL TISSUE. On a request from
an eye bank, as defined in Section 692.002, the medical examiner,
justice of the peace, county judge, or physician designated by the
justice of the peace or county judge may permit the removal of
corneal tissue subject to the same provisions that apply to removal
of a visceral organ on the request of an organ procurement
organization under this subchapter. The provisions of this
subchapter relating to immunity and consent apply to the removal of
the corneal tissue.
SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 693, Health and Safety
Code, and Section 521.405, Transportation Code, are repealed.
SECTION 4. This Act applies only to removal of corneal
tissue on or after September 1, 2005. Removal of corneal tissue
before September 1, 2005, is governed by the law in effect
immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect
for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1544 was passed by the House on April
14, 2005, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in
Senate amendments to H.B. No. 1544 on May 19, 2005, by a non-record
vote; and that the House adopted H.C.R. No. 215 authorizing certain
corrections in H.B. No. 1544 on May 23, 2005, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1544 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 17, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0; and that the Senate adopted H.C.R. No. 215 authorizing certain
corrections in H.B. No. 1544 on May 26, 2005, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor