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 required only 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 exempt from this requirement if they already provide an annual occupational medical examination plan that meets specific criteria and is submitted to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection by February 1 each year. The commission is also responsible for adopting rules to implement these provisions. Compliance with the new section will not be mandatory until February 1, 2027, allowing time for the necessary regulations to be established. 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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