New Benefits Required For Retired Texas Peace Officers and Firefighters

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During the most recent Texas legislative session, a law was passed that creates new retiree liability for Texas government entities, introducing benefits payments for peace officers and firefighters who retire after January 1, 2026.

What Public Entities Should Know about Texas House Bill 4144

Texas House Bill 4144, also referred to as HB4144, introduces new supplemental benefits for retired peace officers and firefighters. Learn more about this bill and how it’s set to impact public entities.

What is Texas HB4144?

Texas HB4144 mandates that local government entities now provide a retiree benefit for peace officers and firefighters who retire after January 1, 2026 and are diagnosed with:

• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Cancer

The new law requires that if a retiree is impacted by one of the listed critical illnesses within their first three years of retirement, the entity would be required to provide the retiree a payment of the lower of 1x salary at time of retirement or $100,000.

Why is Texas HB4144 Going into Effect?

This bipartisan measure aims to provide compensation for the occupational hazards and subsequent health impacts that firefighters and peace officers face in their everyday operations, which may not manifest or be diagnosed until after they’ve retired. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firefighters face higher rates of cancer, heart disease and other illnesses compared to the general U.S. population.1 This is often due to occupational exposures like:

• Gasoline
• Diesel Exhaust
• Chemical products used for firefighting
• Heat stress
• Sleep disruption
• Traumatic incidents

While active-duty firefighters with certain cancers can receive coverage under Texas law, this benefit is not currently applicable for retirees, creating the need for tangible coverage for employees who have left the workforce.

When will Texas HB4144 Go into Effect?

Texas HB4144 went into effect on September 1, 2025 and will apply to firefighters and peace officers who retire on or after January 1, 2026.

Who is exempt from Texas HB4144?

Texas HB4144 will not apply to Texas cities that already offer comparable retiree healthcare.

What is the impact of Texas HB4144 on Public Entities?

Many Texas entities are evaluating the liability associated with self-insuring this risk due to the number of peace officers and firefighters that will retire in 2026 or later. The liability is considerable for some, creating the need to find an insurance policy that will help mitigate their entity’s exposure to this risk.

How Alliant Public Entity Can Help Entities Address Liabilities Imposed by HB4144?

In response to Texas HB4144, Alliant Public Entity is offering a critical illness insurance policy to mitigate the financial liability associated with this new law. The policy will provide a 3-year critical illness coverage at $100,000 for each eligible retiree.

The premiums are based on the retirement age for each individual and the policy provides a turnkey approach to this coverage. Many Texas entities have already signed up for this new policy to offload these claims to the selected insurance company.

Should your entity be interested in insuring your organization against the financial liabilities imposed by HB4144, please reach out to a representative from Alliant Public Entity or fill out the information request form located here: Request More Information.

Alliant note and disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance. Please note that prior to implementation your legal counsel should review all details or policy information. Alliant Insurance Services does not provide legal advice or legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please seek the services of your own legal advisor or ask Alliant Insurance Services for a referral. This document is provided on an “as is” basis without any warranty of any kind. Alliant Insurance Services disclaims any liability for any loss or damage from reliance on this document.

[1] Center for Disease Control (2024), About Firefighter Safety and Health https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/about/index.html