BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1582
86R12141 AAF-D	By: Lucio
	Intergovernmental Relations
	3/29/2019
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Chapter 607 of the Government Code provides benefits to public safety employees related to certain diseases and illnesses. Subchapter A provides benefits for certain contagious diseases, including preventative immunizations and vaccinations to fire fighters and employees who respond to medical emergencies for diseases they may be exposed to. Peace officers are also exposed to these diseases, but are not specifically covered. 

 

Subchapter B provides line of duty disability and death presumptions with regards to a number of diseases that fire fighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are exposed to, including smallpox, tuberculosis, cancer, heart attack and stroke.  Peace officers are also exposed to the same diseases and illnesses when peforming their duties. Stakeholders believe that medical evidence supports affording peace officers the same presumptions provided to firefighters and EMTs under Chapter 607.

 

S.B. 1582 amends Chapter 607 of the Government Code to include peace officers in the list of employees eligible for preventative immunizations and vaccinations. In addition, the bill would provide peace officers with the same disability and line of duty death presumptions related to the diseases and illnesses named in the statute, except for cancer.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1582 amends current law relating to benefits for peace officers relating to certain diseases or illnesses.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 607.004(a), Government Code, to add peace officers to a list of persons entitled to preventative immunization for any disease to which the person may be exposed in performing official duties and for which immunization is possible.

 

SECTION 2. Amends the heading to Subchapter B, Chapter 607, Government Code, to read as follows:

 

SUBCHAPTER B. DISEASES OR ILLNESSES SUFFERED BY FIREFIGHTERS, PEACE OFFICERS, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS

 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 607.051, Government Code, by adding Subdivision (4) to define� "peace officer."

 

SECTION 4. Amends Sections 607.052(a), (b), (e), (g), and (h), Government Code, to make conforming changes.

 

SECTION 5. Amends Sections 607.053(a), (c), and (d), Government Code, to make conforming changes.

 

SECTION 6. Amends Section 607.054, Government Code, to make conforming changes.

 

SECTION 7. Amends Section 607.056(a), Government Code, to make conforming changes.

 

SECTION 8. Amends Sections 607.057 and 607.058, Government Code, to make conforming changes.

 

SECTION 9. Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 10. Effective date: September 1, 2019.