Hinojosa’s bill on heart attack claims for first responders

The text as introduced · 358 words

89R4296 RDS-F

By: Hinojosa of Hidalgo
S.B. No. 1932

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain presumptions applicable to claims for benefits

or compensation for certain medical conditions brought by certain

first responders.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 607.056, Government Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 607.056. ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION OR STROKE. (a) A

firefighter, peace officer, or emergency medical technician who

suffers an acute myocardial infarction or stroke resulting in

disability or death is presumed to have suffered the disability or

death during the course and scope of employment as a firefighter,

peace officer, or emergency medical technician if:

(1) while on duty, the firefighter, peace officer, or

emergency medical technician:

(A) was engaged in a situation that involved

[ nonroutine ] stressful or strenuous physical activity involving

fire suppression, rescue, hazardous material response, emergency

medical services, law enforcement, or other emergency response

activity; or

(B) participated in a training exercise that

involved [ nonroutine ] stressful or strenuous physical activity;

and

(2) the acute myocardial infarction or stroke occurred

not later than eight hours after the end of a shift in which [ while ]

the firefighter, peace officer, or emergency medical technician was

engaging in the activity described under Subdivision (1).

(b) For purposes of this section, "[ nonroutine ] stressful

or strenuous physical activity" does not include clerical,

administrative, or nonmanual activities.

SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

a claim for benefits or compensation brought on or after the

effective date of this Act. A claim for benefits or compensation

brought before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law

in effect on the date the claim was made, and the former law is

continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.