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 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 heat illness prevention standards that align with national guidelines and require employers to provide necessary resources such as drinking water, shade, and training on heat safety.

Additionally, the bill outlines administrative penalties for non-compliance, allowing the commission to impose fines of at least $1,000 for each violation. It also provides a private cause of action for employees who suffer from heat illness or face retaliation for reporting violations, enabling them to seek damages without exhausting administrative remedies. The law will take effect on March 1, 2026, giving employers time to comply with the new standards. The bill emphasizes the importance of protecting workers from heat-related illnesses and ensuring their rights are upheld in the workplace.

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