,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dhdd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #ah1 #bjbf,mr4 ,heinrich 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,welch1 ,mrs4 ,fischer1 ,mr4 ,curtis1 ,mr4 ,bennet1 ,mr4 ,wyden1 ,ms4 ,alsobrooks1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mr4 ,van ,hollen1 ,ms4 ,slotkin1 ,mr4 ,gallego1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 and ,mr4 ,markey7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to drive innovation in developing next-generation protection for firefighters by accelerating the development of ,,pfas-free turnout gear1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,protecting ,firefighters and ,advancing ,state-of-the-,art ,alternatives ,act or the ,,pfas ,alternatives ,act4 #b4 ,preventing occupational illness and injury by expanding the availability of next-generation turnout gear 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means a nonprofit organization1 institution of higher education1 national fire service organization1 or national fire safety organization1 as determined by the ,secretary1 with experience in not fewer than #c of the following3 7,a7 ,conducting research on issues related to cancer and other occupational illnesses among firefighters4 7,b7 ,educating firefighters and other users of turnout gear on safe use1 cleaning1 and decontamination of turnout gear4 7,c7 ,educating firefighters on matters related to physical health1 safety1 and wellness4 7,d7 ,experience collaborating with other national nonprofit organizations to support research on firefighter safety and health4 7,e7 ,demonstrated ability to collaborate with researchers on matters related to firefighter health and safety4 7,f7 ,representing membership comprised of structural1 wildfire1 and aircraft firefighters and supervisors4 7#b7 ,moisture barrier materials ,the term moisture barrier material means the component of turnout gear that principally prevents the transfer of hazardous liquids1 including hot liquids1 fireground chemicals1 and infectious fluids1 and contributes to the overall thermal insulation of the firefighter without imposing undue burdens or otherwise compromising the performance of turnout gear4 7#c7 ,,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 appropriate4 7#d7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#e7 ,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 thermal1 physical1 chemical1 biological1 or other workplace hazards4 ,turnout gear-- 7,a7 includes protective clothing designed to protect firefighters performing structural firefighting1 proximity firefighting1 wildland firefighting1 and urban interface firefighting2 and 7,b7 may also include other personal protective equipment referred to in section #cc7;c77#c77;,i77i7 of the ,federal ,fire ,prevention and ,control ,act of #aigd 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #bbbi7;c77#c77;,i77i774 7b7 ,research programs 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 acting through the ,director of the ,national ,institute for ,occupational ,safety and ,health1 in consultation with the heads of other ,federal agencies as appropriate1 shall establish a program to award grants to eligible entities to support research1 development1 and testing of next-generation turnout gear and associated materials4 7#b7 ,requirements 7,a7 ,,pfas-free components ,grants awarded under this subsection shall support the research1 development1 and testing of materials to design and produce ,,pfas-free turnout gear4 7,b7 ,partnership ,the ,secretary shall require that applications for grants under this subsection include a description of how the eligible entity will partner with organizations in1 and relevant to1 the firefighting industry1 including organizations that directly represent members who serve in nonmanagerial firefighting roles1 and how such partnership will help move the results of research1 development1 and testing described in subparagraph 7,a7 into practice1 including guidance and training for first responders and others who regularly use turnout gear4 7#c7 ,considerations ,in making awards under this subsection1 the ,secretary may consider the extent to which the activities proposed support the research1 development1 and testing described in subparagraph 7,a7 that is likely to prevent occupational illness and injury for firefighters1 including innovations that provide the following3 7,a7 ,enhanced protection against primary and secondary exposure to particulates and byproducts of combustion4 7,b7 ,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 decontamination4 7,c7 ,consideration of body composition in development of prototypes and other products4 7#d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through fiscal year #bjca to carry out this subsection4 7c7 ,training programs 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,secretary1 beginning in fiscal year #bjbh1 shall award grants to1 or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with1 eligible entities1 as determined by the ,secretary1 to develop and disseminate guidance and training for firefighters and other first responders on best practices for reducing potentially harmful exposures by safely wearing1 decontaminating1 and caring for turnout gear developed in accordance with subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated #b1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbh through fiscal year #bjcb to carry out this subsection4 7d7 ,report ,not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report describing the progress made in achieving the goals under subsections 7b7 and 7c74