89R4296 RDS-F
By: Patterson H.B. No. 331
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain presumptions applicable to claims for benefits
or compensation for certain medical conditions brought by certain
first responders.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 607.056, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 607.056. ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION OR STROKE. (a) A
firefighter, peace officer, or emergency medical technician who
suffers an acute myocardial infarction or stroke resulting in
disability or death is presumed to have suffered the disability or
death during the course and scope of employment as a firefighter,
peace officer, or emergency medical technician if:
(1) while on duty, the firefighter, peace officer, or
emergency medical technician:
(A) was engaged in a situation that involved
[nonroutine] stressful or strenuous physical activity involving
fire suppression, rescue, hazardous material response, emergency
medical services, law enforcement, or other emergency response
activity; or
(B) participated in a training exercise that
involved [nonroutine] stressful or strenuous physical activity;
and
(2) the acute myocardial infarction or stroke occurred
not later than eight hours after the end of a shift in which [while]
the firefighter, peace officer, or emergency medical technician was
engaging in the activity described under Subdivision (1).
(b) For purposes of this section, "[nonroutine] stressful
or strenuous physical activity" does not include clerical,
administrative, or nonmanual activities.
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a claim for benefits or compensation brought on or after the
effective date of this Act. A claim for benefits or compensation
brought before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law
in effect on the date the claim was made, and the former law is
continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. 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, 2025.