89R23207 SCL-D     By: Turner, Bumgarner, Patterson, McQueeney, H.B. No. 4144       Plesa, et al.       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to supplemental benefits for retired firefighters and   peace officers diagnosed with certain diseases or illnesses.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 607, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter D to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER D.  BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN DISEASES OR ILLNESSES SUFFERED   BY RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS AND PEACE OFFICERS          Sec. 607.151.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                (1)  "Consumer price index" means the average over a   calendar year of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers   (CPI-U), U.S. City Average, published monthly by the United States   Bureau of Labor Statistics, or its successor in function.                (2)  "Firefighter" has the meaning assigned by Section   607.051.                (3)  "Governmental entity" means a state agency or   political subdivision.                (4)  "Peace officer" has the meaning assigned by   Section 607.051.          Sec. 607.152.  BENEFITS FOR CANCER, ACUTE MYOCARDIAL   INFARCTION, OR STROKE.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (e), a   governmental entity shall provide to a firefighter or peace officer   who retires from the entity a critical-illness supplemental income   benefit or comparable health benefit plan coverage in accordance   with this section if the firefighter or peace officer is diagnosed   with a disease described by Section 607.055 or 607.056 not later   than the third anniversary of the date the firefighter or peace   officer retires.          (b)  The value of the supplemental income benefit provided   under Subsection (a) is the lesser of:                (1)  the firefighter's or peace officer's final yearly   salary; or                (2)  $100,000.          (c)  A governmental entity providing a supplemental income   benefit under Subsection (a) may provide the benefit in a lump sum   payment or equal payments over three consecutive months.          (d)  Not later than September 1 of each year ending in a five,   the commissioner of workers' compensation by rule shall adjust the   amount described by Subsection (b)(2) by an amount equal to the   percentage increase, if any, in the consumer price index for the   preceding 10 years.          (e)  This section does not apply to a governmental entity   that provides to a firefighter or peace officer who retires from the   entity a health benefit plan that is comparable in coverage and cost   to the retiree as the health benefit plan the entity provided to the   retiree on the day before the date the retiree retired.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to a firefighter or peace officer who retires on or after January 1,   2026.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.