summary
Introduced
04/02/2025
04/02/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Titles 12, 25, and 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, fire protection and safety, and insurance, respectively, so as to provide greater health protections for firefighters; to provide for monitoring of concentration levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, at certain firefighter related sites; to prohibit the use of firefighting equipment containing PFAS as an intentionally added chemical after a certain date; to require manufacturers of firefighting equipment to label such equipment as containing PFAS as an intentionally added chemical after a certain date; to provide for the development of standards for mitigating PFAS contamination at harmful exposure levels and for the safe disposal or destruction of any firefighting equipment containing PFAS as an intentionally added chemical; to create the Firefighter Health Advisory Council and establish its powers; to provide for the establishment and purpose of the Firefighter PFAS Initiative; to require fire departments to provide and maintain insurance coverage for its firefighters for the payment of claims for PFAS blood testing under certain circumstances; to require insurers to provide coverage for PFAS blood testing under certain circumstances; to revise and provide definitions; to provide for civil penalties; to provide for reporting; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings and intent; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Firefighter Health and Environmental Safety Act, aims to address health risks faced by firefighters due to exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals found in firefighting equipment. The bill establishes several key provisions: it creates a Firefighter Health Advisory Council to monitor and mitigate health risks to firefighters, requires the Environmental Protection Division to monitor PFAS contamination levels at fire department sites, and prohibits the use of firefighting equipment containing PFAS as an intentionally added chemical after July 1, 2030. The legislation mandates that manufacturers label firefighting equipment containing PFAS and develop standards for safe disposal of such equipment. Additionally, the bill requires fire departments to provide insurance coverage for PFAS blood testing for firefighters who have served at least 12 consecutive months, with testing frequency increasing for those with longer service. Insurers must now include PFAS blood testing coverage in both individual and group accident and sickness insurance policies. The bill also requires the Georgia Fire Academy to provide annual training related to PFAS exposure risks and establishes civil penalties for violations of the new regulations, with the goal of enhancing firefighter health protections and ensuring accountability for potential PFAS-related health hazards.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
House Second Readers (on 01/12/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71992 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/238791 |
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