Firefighters: personal protective equipment.

Assembly Members Haney and Harabedian propose new safety standards for firefighting equipment that would eliminate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other hazardous materials from personal protective equipment (PPE). The legislation requires the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to modify existing safety orders by January 2027 to address National Fire Protection Association performance standards that currently mandate the use of these substances in firefighting gear.

The bill establishes specific requirements for PPE certification, mandating that manufacturers verify their products are free of PFAS, fluoropolymers, flame retardants, and other hazardous substances. These standards would apply to both personal protective garments like jackets and pants, as well as auxiliary equipment such as breathing apparatus and communication devices. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health must report on implementation progress by July 2026.

The legislation provides for separate implementation timelines for personal protective garments versus auxiliary equipment, with consideration for phasing out existing PPE currently in use. The new requirements build upon California's existing five-year review cycle of National Fire Protection Association standards, adding specific provisions regarding hazardous materials in protective equipment.