HB 446 establishes workplace safety measures to prevent heat-related illnesses in high-risk environments such as construction sites and outdoor worksites. Employers are required to provide access to drinking water, shaded or climate-controlled rest areas, and mandatory rest breaks. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will adopt heat illness prevention standards developed by the Heat Illness Prevention Advisory Board, based on National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines. Employers must train employees and supervisors on heat safety practices in a language they understand and display notices about heat illness prevention standards and employee rights in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The bill prohibits retaliation against employees who report violations or participate in investigations. Penalties for noncompliance include administrative fines starting at $1,000 per violation, with each day of noncompliance treated as a separate violation. Employees may also file civil suits for personal injury or wrongful death resulting from violations. The act takes effect on September 1, 2025, unless implemented earlier through a two-thirds vote.