Bill > HB446

This bill establishes comprehensive workplace heat illness prevention regulations in Texas, creating a Heat Illness Prevention Advisory Board composed of seven members from diverse backgrounds including heat safety experts, construction workers, employers, and worker safety representatives. The board will develop standards for protecting employees from heat-related illnesses, which the Texas Workforce Commission must then adopt and implement. These standards will include requirements for providing drinking water, shade or climate-controlled environments, rest periods, emergency response procedures, heat acclimatization protocols, and mandatory training for employees and supervisors in multiple languages. The bill mandates that employers post notices about heat illness prevention standards, provide employee training, and prohibits retaliation against workers who report heat-related issues. Employers who violate these standards will face administrative penalties of at least $1,000 per violation, with each day of violation counted separately. Additionally, employees can file civil lawsuits for personal injury or death resulting from an employer's non-compliance, and courts may award treble damages for knowingly violated standards. The regulations will apply to all employers in Texas starting March 1, 2026, giving businesses time to prepare and implement the new requirements.