PFAS Act
Bill: H.R.4954 | Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie (D-MI)
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act or the PFAS Act
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop guidance for firefighters and other emergency response personnel on training, education programs, and best practices to protect them from exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFASs, from firefighting foam and to prevent the release of PFASs into the environment. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.
DHS shall make available a curriculum designed to
The U.S. Fire Administration shall make recommendations to DHS on the content of the curriculum.
DHS must create an online public repository containing tools and best practices to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and exposure to PFASs.

To direct the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, in 
consultation with other agencies, to develop guidance for firefighters 
  and other emergency response personnel on best practices to protect 
   such personnel from exposure to PFAS and to limit and prevent the 
     release of PFAS into the environment, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Firefighters from Adverse 
Substances Act'' or the ``PFAS Act''.

SEC. 2. GUIDANCE ON PREVENTING EXPOSURE TO AND RELEASE OF PFAS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with 
the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of 
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the 
heads of any other relevant agencies, shall--
            (1) make available a curriculum designed to--
                    (A) reduce and eliminate exposure to per- and 
                polyfluoroalkyl substances (hereinafter referred to as 
                ``PFAS'') from firefighting foam and personal 
                protective equipment;
                    (B) prevent the release of PFAS from firefighting 
                foam into the environment; and
                    (C) educate firefighters and other emergency 
                response personnel on foams and non-foam alternatives, 
                personal protective equipment, and other firefighting 
                tools and equipment that do not contain PFAS;
            (2) develop and publish guidance for firefighters and other 
        emergency response personnel on training, education programs, 
        and best practices on the information described in paragraph 
        (1); and
            (3) create an online public repository, and update such 
        repository on a regular basis, containing tools and best 
        practices for firefighters and other emergency response 
        personnel to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and 
        exposure to PFAS.
    (b) Curriculum.--
            (1) In general.--In developing the curriculum required 
        under subsection (a)(1), the Administrator of the United States 
        Fire Administration shall make recommendations to the Secretary 
        of Homeland Security on the content of the curriculum.
            (2) Consultation.--For the purpose of making 
        recommendations under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the 
        United States Fire Administration shall consult with interested 
        entities, as appropriate, including--
                    (A) firefighters and other emergency response 
                personnel, including national fire service and 
                emergency response organizations;
                    (B) impacted communities dealing with PFAS 
                contamination;
                    (C) scientists, including public and occupational 
                health and safety experts, who are studying PFAS and 
                PFAS alternatives in firefighting foam;
                    (D) voluntary standards organizations engaged in 
                developing standards for firefighter and firefighting 
                equipment;
                    (E) State fire training academies;
                    (F) State fire marshals;
                    (G) manufacturers of firefighting tools and 
                equipment; and
                    (H) any other relevant entities, as determined by 
                the Secretary of Homeland Security and the 
                Administrator of the United States Fire Administration.
    (c) Review.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which the 
guidance and curriculum required under subsection (a) is issued, and 
not less frequently than once every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary 
of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Administrator of the 
United States Fire Administration, the Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency, and the Director of the National 
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, shall review the guidance 
and curriculum and, as appropriate, issue updates to the guidance and 
curriculum.
    (d) Applicability of FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to this Act.
    (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to promulgate or enforce 
regulations under subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, United States 
Code (commonly known as the ``Administrative Procedure Act'').
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