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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to periodic health screenings for firefighters. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Wade Cannon Act. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 180, Local Government Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 180.011 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 180.011. OCCUPATIONAL CANCER SCREENING FOR |
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FIREFIGHTERS. (a) In this section, "firefighter" means an |
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individual defined as fire protection personnel under Section |
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419.021, Government Code. |
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(b) A political subdivision that employs firefighters shall |
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offer an occupational cancer screening to each firefighter at no |
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cost to the firefighter in the fifth year of the firefighter's |
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employment, and once every year following the initial screening. |
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(c) The occupational cancer screening offered under |
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Subsection (b) must be confidential, and in addition to testing for |
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cancer, include: |
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(1) a urine test; |
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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 breast cancer screening; |
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(6) a blood test; and |
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(7) subject to Subsection (d), a chest x-ray. |
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(d) A firefighter is eligible to receive a chest x-ray |
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during the screening under this 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 the screening under this |
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section using standards developed by the National Fire Protection |
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Association. |
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(f) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a political subdivision |
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that employs firefighters is not required to offer a screening |
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under this section if the political subdivision offers an annual |
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occupational medical examination under a plan submitted to the |
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Texas Commission on Fire Protection no later than February 1 of each |
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year. The plan must be endorsed by a physician and be in |
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substantial compliance with standards developed by the National |
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Fire Protection Association. The Texas Commission on Fire |
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Protection shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect June 1, 2026. |