[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4844 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4844
To drive innovation in developing next-generation protection for
firefighters by accelerating the development of PFAS-free turnout gear,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 18, 2026
Mr. Heinrich (for himself, Mr. Welch, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Curtis, Mr.
Bennet, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Alsobrooks, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms.
Slotkin, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Merkley, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr.
Markey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To drive innovation in developing next-generation protection for
firefighters by accelerating the development of PFAS-free turnout gear,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Firefighters and
Advancing State-of-the-Art Alternatives Act'' or the ``PFAS
Alternatives Act''.
SEC. 2. PREVENTING OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS AND INJURY BY EXPANDING THE
AVAILABILITY OF NEXT-GENERATION TURNOUT GEAR.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a
nonprofit organization, institution of higher education,
national fire service organization, or national fire safety
organization, as determined by the Secretary, with experience
in not fewer than 3 of the following:
(A) Conducting research on issues related to cancer
and other occupational illnesses among firefighters.
(B) Educating firefighters and other users of
turnout gear on safe use, cleaning, and decontamination
of turnout gear.
(C) Educating firefighters on matters related to
physical health, safety, and wellness.
(D) Experience collaborating with other national
nonprofit organizations to support research on
firefighter safety and health.
(E) Demonstrated ability to collaborate with
researchers on matters related to firefighter health
and safety.
(F) Representing membership comprised of
structural, wildfire, and aircraft firefighters and
supervisors.
(2) Moisture barrier materials.--The term ``moisture
barrier material'' means the component of turnout gear that
principally prevents the transfer of hazardous liquids,
including hot liquids, fireground chemicals, and infectious
fluids, and contributes to the overall thermal insulation of
the firefighter without imposing undue burdens or otherwise
compromising the performance of turnout gear.
(3) PFAS.--The term ``PFAS'' means per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated carbon
atom or any other substance the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
(5) Turnout gear.--The term ``turnout gear'' means
protective clothing worn as a main source of protection for
firefighters and emergency medical services personnel during
firefighting and post-fire operations to minimize exposure to
hazards that cause serious injuries and illnesses that may
result from contact with thermal, physical, chemical,
biological, or other workplace hazards. Turnout gear--
(A) includes protective clothing designed to
protect firefighters performing structural
firefighting, proximity firefighting, wildland
firefighting, and urban interface firefighting; and
(B) may also include other personal protective
equipment referred to in section 33(c)(3)(I)(i) of the
Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15
U.S.C. 2229(c)(3)(I)(i)).
(b) Research Programs.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, acting through the Director of the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health, in consultation with the
heads of other Federal agencies as appropriate, shall establish
a program to award grants to eligible entities to support
research, development, and testing of next-generation turnout
gear and associated materials.
(2) Requirements.--
(A) PFAS-free components.--Grants awarded under
this subsection shall support the research,
development, and testing of materials to design and
produce PFAS-free turnout gear.
(B) Partnership.--The Secretary shall require that
applications for grants under this subsection include a
description of how the eligible entity will partner
with organizations in, and relevant to, the
firefighting industry, including organizations that
directly represent members who serve in nonmanagerial
firefighting roles, and how such partnership will help
move the results of research, development, and testing
described in subparagraph (A) into practice, including
guidance and training for first responders and others
who regularly use turnout gear.
(3) Considerations.--In making awards under this
subsection, the Secretary may consider the extent to which the
activities proposed support the research, development, and
testing described in subparagraph (A) that is likely to prevent
occupational illness and injury for firefighters, including
innovations that provide the following:
(A) Enhanced protection against primary and
secondary exposure to particulates and byproducts of
combustion.
(B) Reduced maintenance that includes contamination
resistance and greater ease of cleaning or visible
warning indicators to alert firefighters to hazardous
exposures or the need for decontamination.
(C) Consideration of body composition in
development of prototypes and other products.
(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027
through fiscal year 2031 to carry out this subsection.
(c) Training Programs.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary, beginning in fiscal year 2028,
shall award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative
agreements with, eligible entities, as determined by the
Secretary, to develop and disseminate guidance and training for
firefighters and other first responders on best practices for
reducing potentially harmful exposures by safely wearing,
decontaminating, and caring for turnout gear developed in
accordance with subsection (b).
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2028
through fiscal year 2032 to carry out this subsection.
(d) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report
describing the progress made in achieving the goals under subsections
(b) and (c).
<all>