89R11179 SCL-D
By: Turner H.B. No. 4144
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to supplemental benefits for retired firefighters and
peace officers diagnosed with certain diseases or illnesses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 607, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER D. BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN DISEASES OR ILLNESSES SUFFERED
BY RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS AND PEACE OFFICERS
Sec. 607.151. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Consumer price index" means the average over a
calendar year of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers
(CPI-U), U.S. City Average, published monthly by the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics, or its successor in function.
(2) "Firefighter" has the meaning assigned by Section
607.051.
(3) "Governmental entity" means a state agency or
political subdivision.
(4) "Peace officer" has the meaning assigned by
Section 607.051.
Sec. 607.152. BENEFITS FOR CANCER, ACUTE MYOCARDIAL
INFARCTION, OR STROKE. (a) A governmental entity shall provide to
a firefighter or peace officer who retires from the entity a
critical-illness supplemental income benefit or comparable health
benefit plan coverage in accordance with this section if the
firefighter or peace officer is diagnosed with a disease described
by Section 607.055 or 607.056 not later than the third anniversary
of the date the firefighter or peace officer retires.
(b) The value of the supplemental income benefit provided
under Subsection (a) is the lesser of:
(1) the firefighter's or peace officer's final yearly
salary; or
(2) $100,000.
(c) A governmental entity providing a supplemental income
benefit under Subsection (a) may provide the benefit in a lump sum
payment or equal payments over three consecutive months.
(d) Not later than September 1 of each year ending in a five,
the commissioner of insurance by rule shall adjust the amount
described by Subsection (b)(2) by an amount equal to the percentage
increase, if any, in the consumer price index for the preceding 10
years.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a firefighter or peace officer who retires on or after January 1,
2026.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.