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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an annual occupational medical examination for fire |
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fighters. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 180, Local Government Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 180.010 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 180.010. ANNUAL OCCUPATIONAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR |
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FIRE FIGHTERS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Fire department" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 419.021, Government Code. |
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(2) "Fire fighter" means an individual: |
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(A) defined as fire protection personnel under |
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Section 419.021(3)(C), Government Code; and |
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(B) who is certified by the Texas Commission on |
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Fire Protection under Chapter 419 of that code. |
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(b) A fire department shall offer an annual occupational |
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medical evaluation to each fire fighter employed by the fire |
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department at no cost to the fire fighter. |
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(c) The annual occupational medical evaluation must be |
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confidential and include: |
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(1) fluid tests; |
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(2) a pulmonary function test; |
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(3) an electrocardiogram; |
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(4) an infectious disease screening; |
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(5) a cancer screening; and |
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(6) a chest x-ray, subject to Subsection (d). |
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(d) A fire fighter is eligible to receive a chest x-ray |
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during an annual occupational medical examination under this |
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section once every five years. |
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(e) The Texas Commission on Fire Protection shall adopt |
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rules establishing minimum standards for annual occupational |
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medical examinations under this section by using standards |
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developed by the National Fire Protection Association. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, but not later than June 1, 2024, the Texas Commission |
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on Fire Protection shall adopt rules as required by Section |
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180.010(e), Local Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. A fire department is not required to comply with |
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Section 180.010, Local Government Code, as added by this Act, until |
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July 1, 2024. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |