Congress·In Committee·H.R. 3184

Firefighter Safety: Developing Chemical-Free Protective Gear

PFAS Alternatives Act

11 months ago·View on Congress.gov

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

This bill creates a grant program to help researchers and fire safety groups develop new protective clothing for firefighters that does not contain 'forever chemicals' known as PFAS.
Firefighters currently wear gear that uses these chemicals to block water and oil, but the chemicals have been linked to serious health problems like cancer among first responders.
The plan provides $25 million each year through 2029 to design gear that is safer to wear, easier to clean, and better at blocking dangerous smoke and soot.
Starting in 2027, an additional $2 million per year will be used to train firefighters on how to properly clean and care for this new equipment to keep them safe on the job.
The research will also focus on making gear that fits different body types better and includes warning signs that tell a firefighter when their suit has been exposed to dangerous toxins.

Milestones

3 milestones3 actions

May 6, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

May 5, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

May 5, 2025

Introduced in House