TITLE: Relating to the regulation of certain interior designers.

SUMMARY: Relating to the regulation of certain interior designers.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the regulation of certain interior designers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 1051.001, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (2-a) to read as follows: (2-a) "Hospital" means a public or private institution licensed under Chapter 241 or 577, Health and Safety Code, including a general hospital or a special hospital, as those terms are defined by Section 241.003, Health and Safety Code. SECTION 2. Section 1053.151, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 1053.151. REGISTRATION [REQUIRED].(a) The board shall issue a certificate of registration under this chapter to a person who: (1) practices interior design as it relates to the interior environment or space of a hospital; and (2) meets the requirements of this chapter and board rules. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (a), the board may not issue or renew a certificate of registration to a person engaged in the practice of interior design. (c) A person other than an interior designer may not represent that the person is a "registered interior designer" by using that title or by using words that imply that the person is a registered interior designer. SECTION 3. Section 1053.152(a), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The board shall establish the qualifications for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of registration under this chapter to a person who practices interior design as it relates to the interior environment or space of a hospital.SECTION 4. Section 1053.351(a), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly violates Section 1053.151(c) [1053.151] or a standard of conduct adopted under this chapter. SECTION 5. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date. SECTION 6. Not later than October 1, 2013, the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners shall adopt rules necessary to implement Section 1053.151, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act. SECTION 7. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.