[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S3535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 6408. Mr. HEINRICH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place in subtitle G of title X, insert
the following:
SEC. ___. PREVENTING FIREFIGHTER 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).
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