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HB 5489

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jackie Baginski and 1 co-sponsor

Defines extreme heat waves and requires the Department of Public Health to name and publicly notify residents when one occurs, to boost awareness and reduce heat harm.

03/11/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5489

Bill Summary — HB 5489 (2025)

Title: AN ACT DEFINING AN EXTREME HEAT WAVE AND REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO NAME AND NOTIFY THE PUBLIC REGARDING AN EXTREME HEAT WAVE
Introduced: March 14, 2025
Current status: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health; Placed on General State Calendar (May 15, 2025)

Purpose / Intent

The bill is intended to improve public awareness and response to periods of extreme heat by (1) establishing a statutory definition of an "extreme heat wave" and (2) requiring the state Department of Public Health (DPH) to give such events a name and notify the public when one is occurring. The stated policy goal is to reduce heat‑related illness and death through clearer, standardized public messaging and timelier alerts.

Key provisions (based on bill title and summary)

  • Define the term “extreme heat wave” in state law (exact statutory language and numeric thresholds are not included in the publicly available summary).
  • Require the Department of Public Health to assign a name to each declared extreme heat wave.
  • Require DPH to notify the public when an extreme heat wave is declared and named.

Note: The bill text is not included in the materials provided. Specifics such as the numeric temperature/humidity criteria, duration needed to trigger a declaration, which offices have authority to declare an event, required notification channels (e.g., media, emergency alert, social media), timing, content of notices, reporting requirements, interagency coordination, or funding/penalty provisions are not available in the summary and would be clarified in the bill language.

Who would be affected

  • Department of Public Health — responsibility for naming and issuing public notices; may need to develop criteria, protocols, and outreach procedures.
  • General public — receives named alerts and guidance during extreme heat events.
  • Vulnerable populations and institutions — elderly, outdoor workers, people with chronic illness, schools, long‑term care facilities, and local emergency/health agencies may see impacts from new notification/response expectations.
  • Local public health departments and emergency management agencies — likely partners in implementation and dissemination.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Improved public recognition and recall of heat events (naming could increase attention/behavioral response).
  • Operational costs for DPH to develop naming/notification systems, public outreach, and possible coordination with other agencies.
  • Need for clear definitions and thresholds to avoid inconsistent or overly frequent declarations.
  • Equity considerations for ensuring notifications reach non‑English speakers, people without internet access, and other at‑risk groups.

Legislative status / timeline

  • Filed: March 14, 2025
  • Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health: January 17, 2025
  • Referred to Land & Resource Management: April 7, 2025 (read first time same day)
  • Committee activity: Public hearing (May 8); reported favorably without amendment (May 9); committee report filed and sent to Calendars (May 12)
  • Placed on General State Calendar: May 15, 2025

For full legal effect and operational details, consult the bill text once published or committee reports that include the statutory language and any implementing instructions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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