By: King of Uvalde, et al. H.B. No. 2455
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an annual occupational medical examination for fire
fighters.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 180, Local Government Code, is amended
by adding Section 180.010 to read as follows:
Sec. 180.010. ANNUAL OCCUPATIONAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR
FIRE FIGHTERS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Fire department" has the meaning assigned by
Section 419.021, Government Code.
(2) "Fire fighter" means an individual:
(A) defined as fire protection personnel under
Section 419.021(3)(C), Government Code; and
(B) who is certified by the Texas Commission on
Fire Protection under Chapter 419 of that code.
(b) A fire department shall offer an annual occupational
medical examination to each fire fighter employed by the fire
department at no cost to the fire fighter.
(c) The annual occupational medical examination must be
confidential and include:
(1) a blood test;
(2) a urine test;
(3) a pulmonary function test;
(4) an electrocardiogram;
(5) an infectious disease screening;
(6) a cancer screening; and
(7) a chest x-ray, subject to Subsection (d).
(d) A fire fighter is eligible to receive a chest x-ray
during an annual occupational medical examination under this
section once every five years.
(e) The Texas Commission on Fire Protection shall adopt
rules establishing minimum standards for annual occupational
medical examinations under this section by using standards
developed by the National Fire Protection Association.
(f) A fire department is not required to offer an annual
occupational medical examination under this section if the fire
department submits an annual medical examination plan to the Texas
Commission on Fire Protection by February 1 of each year. The plan
must be endorsed by a physician and be in substantial compliance
with standards developed by the National Fire Protection
Association. The commission shall adopt rules to implement this
subsection.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act but not later than January 1, 2025, the Texas Commission
on Fire Protection shall adopt rules as required by Sections
180.010(e) and (f), Local Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. A fire department is not required to comply with
Section 180.010, Local Government Code, as added by this Act, until
February 1, 2025.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.