|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to an alert system for notification of the release of toxic |
|
chemicals by a manufacturing facility. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 505, Health and Safety |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 505. MANUFACTURING FACILITY COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT; |
|
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION ACT |
|
SECTION 2. Section 505.001, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 505.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the |
|
Manufacturing Facility Community Right-To-Know Act and Emergency |
|
Notification Act. |
|
SECTION 3. The heading to Section 505.017, Health and |
|
Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 505.017. NOTICE ISSUED UNDER EMERGENCIES; ALERT |
|
SYSTEM. |
|
SECTION 4. Section 505.017, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows: |
|
(c) If the responsible state agency determines that a |
|
release will substantially endanger human health, the agency shall |
|
immediately notify persons in the area in which the facility is |
|
located of the release using the alert system established under |
|
Subsection (d). |
|
(d) The state emergency response commission shall develop |
|
and maintain an alert system to notify persons in the area in which |
|
the facility is located of a release that will substantially |
|
endanger human health. The notification must be provided through |
|
reverse 9-1-1 calls, text messages, e-mails, social media, and |
|
other instant messaging systems. The commission may partner with |
|
other state agencies in developing the alert system and shall allow |
|
persons to register for a preferred method of receiving a message |
|
under the alert system. An alert issued by the system must include: |
|
(1) each area affected by the release; |
|
(2) a link to an Internet website or other message |
|
system that has updated information on each affected area; |
|
(3) the chemicals involved in and toxicity of the |
|
release; |
|
(4) the projected movement of the release; and |
|
(5) instructions for protection from exposure to the |
|
release. |
|
SECTION 5. Not later than September 1, 2016, the state |
|
emergency response commission shall establish the alert system as |
|
required by Section 505.017, Health and Safety Code, as amended by |
|
this Act. |
|
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |