The bill, H.B. No. 2009, introduces a requirement for fire departments in Texas to offer annual occupational medical examinations to their firefighters at no cost. The new section added to the Local Government Code, Section 180.011, defines key terms such as "fire department" and "fire fighter," and outlines the components of the medical examination, which must include tests such as blood and urine tests, pulmonary function tests, electrocardiograms, infectious disease screenings, cancer screenings, and chest x-rays (the latter to be conducted once every five years). The Texas Commission on Fire Protection is tasked with establishing minimum standards for these examinations based on guidelines from the National Fire Protection Association.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that fire departments are not required to offer these examinations if they have an approved annual occupational medical examination plan that complies with the established standards. The Texas Commission on Fire Protection must adopt the necessary rules by January 1, 2027, and compliance with the new requirements will not be mandatory until February 1, 2027. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

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