HB198 - Relating to periodic health screenings for firefighters.

      H.B. No. 198         AN ACT   relating to periodic health screenings for firefighters.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as the Wade Cannon Act.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 180, Local Government Code, is amended   by adding Section 180.011 to read as follows:           Sec.   180.011.     OCCUPATIONAL CANCER SCREENING FOR   FIREFIGHTERS. (a) In this section, "firefighter" means an   individual defined as fire protection personnel under Section   419.021, Government Code.           (b)     A political subdivision that employs firefighters shall   offer an occupational cancer screening to each firefighter at no   cost to the firefighter in the fifth year of the firefighter's   employment, and once every year following the initial screening.           (c)     The occupational cancer screening offered under   Subsection (b) must be confidential, and in addition to testing for   cancer, include:                 (1)  a urine test;                 (2)  a pulmonary function test;                 (3)  an electrocardiogram;                 (4)  an infectious disease screening;                 (5)  a breast cancer screening;                 (6)  a blood test; and                 (7)  subject to Subsection (d), a chest x-ray.           (d)     A firefighter is eligible to receive a chest x-ray   during the screening under this section once every five years.           (e)     The Texas Commission on Fire Protection shall adopt   rules establishing minimum standards for the screening under this   section using standards developed by the National Fire Protection   Association.           (f)     Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a political subdivision   that employs firefighters is not required to offer a screening   under this section if the political subdivision offers an annual   occupational medical examination under a plan submitted to the   Texas Commission on Fire Protection no later than 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 Texas Commission on Fire   Protection shall adopt rules to implement this subsection.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect June 1, 2026.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 198 was passed by the House on May 6,   2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 148, Nays 1, 1 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 198 was passed by the Senate on May   19, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor