The proposed bill, H.B. No. 446, aims to enhance workplace safety by establishing a framework for heat illness prevention in Texas. It introduces Chapter 53 to the Labor Code, which includes the creation of a heat illness prevention advisory board tasked with developing and recommending heat illness prevention standards to the Texas Workforce Commission. The advisory board will consist of members with expertise in heat safety, construction workers, employers, and representatives from nonprofit organizations and labor unions. The bill mandates that the commission adopt these standards, which must align with existing national guidelines and include provisions for access to drinking water, shade, rest periods, emergency response procedures, and employee training.

Additionally, the bill outlines penalties for non-compliance, including administrative fines and civil liability for employers who fail to adhere to the established standards. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who report heat-related incidents or violations. The bill specifies that employers will not be required to comply with the new regulations until March 1, 2026, allowing time for the advisory board to be appointed and for the commission to finalize the necessary standards and notices. The act will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

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