Political subdivisions that employ firefighters must offer free occupational cancer screenings on a set schedule, unless they provide a qualifying annual occupational medical examination instead.
Text of section as added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 261 (H.B. 198), Sec. 2 For text of section as added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 879 (S.B. 2237), Sec. 1, see other Sec. 180.011. For text of section as added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1175 (H.B. 762), Sec. 1, see other Sec. 180.011. Sec. 180.011. OCCUPATIONAL CANCER SCREENING FOR FIREFIGHTERS. (a) In this section, "firefighter" means an individual defined as fire protection personnel under Section 419.021, Government Code. (b) A political subdivision that employs firefighters shall offer an occupational cancer screening to each firefighter at no cost to the firefighter in the fifth year of the firefighter's employment, and once every year following the initial screening. (c) The occupational cancer screening offered under Subsection (b) must be confidential, and in addition to testing for cancer, include: (1) a urine test; (2) a pulmonary function test; (3) an electrocardiogram; (4) an infectious disease screening; (5) a breast cancer screening; (6) a blood test; and (7) subject to Subsection (d), a chest x-ray. (d) A firefighter is eligible to receive a chest x-ray during the screening under this section once every five years. (e) The Texas Commission on Fire Protection shall adopt rules establishing minimum standards for the screening under this section using standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association. (f) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a political subdivision that employs firefighters is not required to offer a screening under this section if the political subdivision offers an annual occupational medical examination under a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection no later than February 1 of each year. The plan must be endorsed by a physician and be in substantial compliance with standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association. The Texas Commission on Fire Protection shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 261 (H.B. 198), Sec. 2, eff. June 1, 2026.