Texas bill would make infertility an occupational illness

Lawmakers in Texas are considering legislation that would make infertility an occupational illness for firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

S.B. 454, pre-filed Thursday by Republican Sen. Mayes Middleton, would create a presumption of compensability for a disease of the male or female reproductive system as “defined by failure to achieve a pregnancy after at least 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse.”

To qualify, the first responder must have regularly responded to fires or “events involving the documented release of radiation or a known or suspected carcinogen.”

The bill does not include information on how infertility would be treated under workers compensation.