Bill > HB4144

This bill establishes a new set of supplemental benefits for retired firefighters and peace officers who work in departments with at least 50 employees and are diagnosed with specific diseases (such as cancer, acute myocardial infarction, or stroke) within three years of retirement. Under the bill, political subdivisions must provide either a critical-illness supplemental income benefit or comparable health benefit plan coverage. The supplemental income benefit would be valued at the lesser of the retiree's final yearly salary or $100,000, which can be paid as a lump sum or in three equal monthly payments. The $100,000 maximum benefit will be adjusted every five years based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) to account for inflation. The bill does not apply to political subdivisions that already provide comparable health benefits to retirees. These new provisions will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to firefighters and peace officers who retire on or after January 1, 2026, giving local governments time to prepare for the new requirements.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4144