S. 4844

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4844 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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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).
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