(a) Except as provided by Subsection (e), a political subdivision shall provide to a firefighter or peace officer who retires from the political subdivision a critical-illness supplemental income benefit or comparable health benefit plan coverage in accordance with this section if the firefighter or peace officer is diagnosed with a disease described by Section 607.055 or 607.056 not later than the third anniversary of the date the firefighter or peace officer retires.

(b) The value of the supplemental income benefit provided un-der Subsection (a) is the lesser of:

(1) the firefighter’s or peace officer’s final yearly salary; or

(2) $100,000.

(c) A political subdivision providing a supplemental income benefit under Subsection (a) may provide the benefit in a lump sum payment or equal payments over three consecutive months.

(d) Not later than September 1 of each year ending in a five, the commissioner of workers’ compensation by rule shall adjust the amount described by Subsection (b)(2) by an amount equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the consumer price index for the preceding 10 years.

(e) This section does not apply to a political subdivision that provides to a firefighter or peace officer who retires from the political subdivision a health benefit plan that is comparable in coverage and cost to the retiree as the health benefit plan the political subdivision provided to the retiree on the day before the date the retiree retired.

Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., ch. ___, § _, eff. Sept. 1, 2025.