Bedding Treatment Exemption
In the 2005 Texas Legislature, TARA played a key role in the passage of HB 1752, commonly referred to as the "Bed Bug Bill". This legislation protects most rental dealers from certain onerous "premises" rules regarding the germicidal treatment of used bedding by exempting businesses who treat 10 or less beds per week. The specific exemption included in the bill is shown below:
Texas Health and Safety Code
Sec. 345.045. MINIMUM SANITARY STANDARDS FOR GERMICIDAL TREATMENT PERMIT. (a) The holder of a germicidal treatment permit must maintain the permit holder's place of business in a sanitary condition free from refuse, dirt contamination, insects, and vermin.
(b) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, by rule, may establish additional requirements regulating the sanitary condition of a permit holder's place of business. The holder of a germicidal treatment permit who germicidally treats not more than 10 items at the permit holder's place of business each week is exempt from any additional requirements regulating the sanitary condition of a permit holder's place of business adopted under this subsection.
The bill amended the Texas Health and Saftey Code. A link to the bill is provided in the left column of this frame, along with a copy of the entire Texas Bedding Act and the subsequent bedding rules and regulations adopted by the Texas Department of State Health Services. However, the TDSHS Bedding Rules do not include any reference to HB 1752.
