Asbestos Regulations Draft

The Texas Department of State Health Services has relased a preliminary draft of the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules (TAHPR) for review by current licensees and interested stakeholders.

The draft will be available for informal public comment until April 28, 2016. Additionally, stakeholders may provide comments at a public meeting to be held April 26, 2016, from 1:00-4:00pm, at 1100 West 49th Street, Room K-100, Austin, TX 78756.

Link to proposed rules: TAHPR Draft

Link to Asbestos Rule Comment Notification Instructions: Instructions

Comments may be emailed to EHGRulesCoordinator@dshs.state.tx.us (Note: Please write "Informal Comments for TAHPR" in subject line.)

Comments may also be mailed to: Texas Department of State Health Services Attn: Environmental Hazards Group Rules Coordinator PO Box 149347, MC 1987 Austin, TX 78714-9347

The Department requests that for each comment submitted, you identify the section number of the draft rule, provide your recommended rule languages, and briefly describe how your recommended edit(s) will affect public health and the regulated community.

The Department will set the draft rules on the agenda for discussion during the May 18, 2016, work session meeting of the State Health Services Council (SHSC). The Department plans to present proposed rules as an action item at the SHSC meeting scheduled for August 18, 2016. If the SHSC votes to recommend publication of the proposed rules and the Executive Commissioner approves, the Department will publish proposed rules in the Texas Register, and a formal 30-day public comment period in fall of 2016 will follow.