HB2009 - Relating to an annual occupational medical examination for fire fighters.

  89R1684 AMF-D     By: Hernandez H.B. No. 2009       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 180.011 to read as follows:           Sec.   180.011.     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 required   under Subsection (b) 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 required under   Subsection (b) once every five years.           (e)     The Texas Commission on Fire Protection shall adopt   rules establishing minimum standards for annual occupational   medical examinations required under Subsection (b) 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 Subsection (b) if the fire   department offers an annual occupational medical examination under   an annual occupational medical examination plan submitted 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, 2027, the Texas Commission   on Fire Protection shall adopt rules as required by Sections   180.011(e) and (f), Local Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  A fire department is not required to comply with   Section 180.011, Local Government Code, as added by this Act, until   February 1, 2027.          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, 2025.