BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1639
89R2640 MCF-D	By: Patterson; Collier (Alvarado)
	Health & Human Services
	5/12/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Firefighters are a crucial resource for communities across Texas and are often first on the scene during emergencies. Unfortunately, firefighters are also at an elevated risk for occupational cancers. Currently, the studies conducted around this issue have been centered around male firefighters as a result of the small percentage of female firefighters in the workforce. However, this does not mean these firefighters are at any less of a risk to develop cancer. Unfortunately, female firefighters are often at a higher risk to develop female-specific cancers like cervical and breast cancer. H.B. 1639 aims to initiate a study of the prevalence female-specific cancers amongst female firefighters.

H.B. 1639 amends current law relating to a study on the increased incidence of cancer in female firefighters in this state.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. (a) Defines "commission," "department," and "registry."

(b) Requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), in collaboration with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) and using cancer registry information, to conduct a study on the increased incidence of cancer in female firefighters in this state.

(c) Requires DSHS and TCFP, in conducting the study, using registry information and data collected from readily available sources, to compare cancer rates among female firefighters in this state to cancer rates among other women, focusing on cancers specific to women, including ovarian and breast cancer.

(d) Provides that, not later than September 1, 2026, DSHS is required to prepare and submit to the legislature a written report containing the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action and DSHS and TCFP are required to make the report publicly available by posting the report on the agencies' and cancer registry's respective Internet website.

(e) Provides that this act expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.