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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4769 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4769
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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 20, 2023
Mrs. Dingell (for herself, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Ms. Bonamici, Mr.
Kean of New Jersey, Ms. Titus, Mr. D'Esposito, Mr. Ivey, and Mr.
Fitzpatrick) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on
Science, Space, and Technology, and Transportation and Infrastructure,
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of
the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
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. EXPANDING THE AVAILABILITY OF NEXT-GENERATION TURNOUT GEAR.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
(2) 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 Administrator, with
experience in not fewer than three of the following:
(A) Conducting research on issues related to cancer
among firefighters.
(B) Educating firefighters and other users of
turnout gear on proper 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.
(3) 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.
(4) PFAS.--The term ``PFAS'' means per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated carbon
atom.
(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 Administrator, 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 Administrator 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 Administrator may consider the extent to which
the activities proposed support the research, development, and
testing described in subparagraph (A) that is likely to reduce
the inherent dangers firefighters face, 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 2024
through fiscal year 2028 to carry out this subsection.
(c) Training Programs.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Administrator shall award grants to, or
enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible
entities, as determined by the Administrator, to develop and
disseminate guidance and training for firefighters and other
first responders on best practices for reducing potentially
harmful exposures by properly wearing, decontaminating, and
caring for turnout gear developed in accordance with section
(b).
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024
through fiscal year 2028 to carry out this subsection.
(d) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a
report describing the progress made in achieving the goals of
subsections (b) and (c).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
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