The bill, S.B. No. 1545, introduces a new requirement for fire departments in Texas to offer annual occupational medical examinations to their firefighters at no cost. This examination must be confidential and include a series of tests such as blood and urine tests, pulmonary function tests, electrocardiograms, infectious disease screenings, cancer screenings, 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 examinations based on guidelines from the National Fire Protection Association.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that fire departments are not obligated to provide these examinations if they have an alternative plan that meets the required standards and is submitted to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection by February 1 each year. The implementation of this requirement will not be enforced until February 1, 2027, allowing time for the commission to adopt necessary rules. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.

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