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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 180.011 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 180.011. 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 examination 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 examination required |
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under Subsection (b) must be confidential and include: |
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(1) a blood test; |
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(2) a urine test; |
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(3) a pulmonary function test; |
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(4) an electrocardiogram; |
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(5) an infectious disease screening; |
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(6) a cancer screening; and |
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(7) 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 required under |
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Subsection (b) 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 required under Subsection (b) by using |
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standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association. |
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(f) A fire department is not required to offer an annual |
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occupational medical examination under Subsection (b) if the fire |
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department offers an annual occupational medical examination under |
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an annual occupational medical examination plan submitted to the |
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Texas Commission on Fire Protection by February 1 of each year. The |
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plan must be endorsed by a physician and be in substantial |
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compliance with standards developed by the National Fire Protection |
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Association. The commission shall adopt rules to implement this |
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subsection. |
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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 January 1, 2027, the Texas Commission |
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on Fire Protection shall adopt rules as required by Sections |
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180.011(e) and (f), 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 180.011, Local Government Code, as added by this Act, until |
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February 1, 2027. |
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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, 2025. |