The bill, titled the Wade Cannon Act, aims to enhance the health and safety of firefighters by mandating periodic occupational cancer screenings. It introduces a new section, 180.011, to the Local Government Code, which requires political subdivisions employing firefighters to offer these screenings at no cost. Specifically, firefighters must receive an initial screening in the fifth year of their employment, followed by screenings every three years thereafter. The screenings are to be confidential and must test for various types of cancer, including colorectal, prostate (if applicable), lung, and brain cancer.

This legislation underscores the importance of early detection and prevention of occupational cancers among firefighters, who are at a higher risk due to the nature of their work. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, providing time for local governments to implement the necessary procedures for these screenings.

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