89R11179 SCL-D     By: Turner H.B. No. 4144       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)  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 insurance 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.          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.