H.B. No. 198, also known as the Wade Cannon Act, introduces new provisions for occupational cancer screenings for firefighters in Texas. The bill mandates that political subdivisions employing firefighters must offer these screenings at no cost to the firefighters, starting in the fifth year of their employment and continuing annually thereafter. The screenings must be confidential and include a variety of tests such as urine tests, pulmonary function tests, electrocardiograms, infectious disease screenings, breast cancer screenings, blood tests, and chest x-rays, with the latter being available once every five years. The Texas Commission on Fire Protection is tasked with establishing minimum standards for these screenings based on guidelines from the National Fire Protection Association.

Additionally, the bill provides an exemption for political subdivisions that offer an annual occupational medical examination under a plan approved by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, which must be endorsed by a physician and comply with established standards. The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2026.

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