HR3184-119

What This Bill Does

The PFAS Alternatives Act directs HHS, acting through NIOSH, to establish a grant program within 180 days for research, development, and testing of next-generation turnout gear and materials that are PFAS-free. Eligible entities include nonprofits, institutions of higher education, national fire service organizations, and national fire safety organizations with experience in firefighter cancer and occupational illness research, safe use and decontamination education, firefighter health and wellness, collaboration with safety and health researchers, or representation of structural, wildfire, and aircraft firefighters and supervisors. Applications must describe partnerships with firefighting-industry organizations, including groups representing nonmanagerial firefighters, and how research will move into practice through guidance and training. HHS may prioritize innovations that protect against particulates and combustion byproducts, reduce maintenance through contamination resistance or visible warning indicators, and account for body composition in prototypes. The bill authorizes 25 million dollars per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for research, development, and testing. Beginning in fiscal year 2027, HHS must award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to develop and disseminate guidance and training on safely wearing, decontaminating, and caring for the new gear, with 2 million dollars per year authorized through fiscal year 2031 and a congressional progress report due within two years.

Who Benefits and How

Firefighters benefit from research into PFAS-free turnout gear that reduces occupational illness and injury risk. Nonmanagerial firefighting workers benefit because eligible partnerships must include organizations representing their roles. Fire service nonprofits and safety organizations benefit from HHS grant, contract, and cooperative agreement opportunities. Universities researching firefighter health benefit from funding for material testing and occupational safety research. Turnout gear manufacturers benefit if federally supported research creates marketable PFAS-free protective materials.

Who Bears the Burden and How

NIOSH program staff must establish grants, review applications, coordinate agencies, and report progress to Congress. Grant recipients must partner with firefighting-industry organizations and translate research into guidance and training. Fire departments may need to update training and gear-care practices as PFAS-free gear guidance emerges. PFAS-containing turnout gear suppliers face pressure as federal research accelerates alternatives. Federal appropriators bear the 25 million dollar and 2 million dollar annual authorizations.

Key Provisions

• Creates HHS-NIOSH grants for PFAS-free turnout gear research, development, and testing within 180 days.
• Authorizes 25 million dollars per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for next-generation turnout gear work.
• Requires eligible entities to partner with firefighting-industry organizations and move research into guidance and training.
• Authorizes guidance and training grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements beginning in fiscal year 2027.
• Authorizes 2 million dollars per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and requires a two-year progress report.