PFAS Act

Bill: 117-s-231
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health technology, devices, supplies
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act or the PFAS Act 

 
This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 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 limit or 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.
 
FEMA shall (1) develop and issue guidance on alternative foams, personal protective equipment, and other firefighting tools and equipment that do not contain PFASs; and (2) create an online public repository on tools and best practices to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and exposure to PFASs. 

action_date: 2021-05-10
text: 

Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act or the PFAS Act 

 
This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 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.
 
FEMA shall (1) develop and issue guidance on non-foam alternatives, personal protective equipment, and other firefighting tools and equipment that do not contain PFASs; and (2) create an online public repository on tools and best practices to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and exposure to PFASs. 

action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

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
 
 
 reduce and eliminate exposure to PFAS from firefighting foam and personal protective equipment (PPE);
 
 prevent the release of PFAS from firefighting foam into the environment; and 
 
educate firefighters and other emergency response personnel on foams and non-foam alternatives, PPE, and other firefighting tools and equipment that do not contain PFAS.
 
 
The U.S. Fire Administration shall make recommendations to DHS as to the content of the curriculum.
 
DHS must create an online public repository on tools and best practices to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and exposure to PFASs. 

action_date: 2022-12-20
text: 

Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act or the PFAS Act 

 
This act 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
 
 
 reduce and eliminate exposure to PFAS from firefighting foam and personal protective equipment (PPE);
 
 prevent the release of PFAS from firefighting foam into the environment; and 
 
educate firefighters and other emergency response personnel on foams and non-foam alternatives, PPE, and other firefighting tools and equipment that do not contain PFAS.
 
 
The U.S. Fire Administration shall make recommendations to DHS as to the content of the curriculum.
 
DHS must create an online public repository on tools and best practices to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and exposure to PFASs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Became Public Law No: 117-248.
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Became Public Law No: 117-248.
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2022-12-16
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2022-12-16
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 - 22 (Roll no. 498). (text: 11/29/2022 CR H8609)
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 - 22 (Roll no. 498).
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8702-8703)
action_date: 2022-11-29
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2022-11-29
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 231.
action_date: 2022-11-29
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8609-8612)
action_date: 2022-11-29
text: Ms. Stevens moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5189-5190)
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5189-5190)
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5189-5190)
action_date: 2021-05-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 55.
action_date: 2021-05-10
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-21.
action_date: 2021-05-10
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-21.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 117-248