BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2600
	By: Frazier; Garcia (Whitmire)
	Criminal Justice
	5/18/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

There is an ongoing concern among some peace officers that they could lose their employment with a law enforcement agency if they seek mental health care. This fear can discourage officers from receiving help that is necessary to improve their overall health and that would help them better manage the extremely stressful circumstances under which they work.

To help alleviate any concerns by possibly affected peace officers, it is necessary to prohibit peace officers from being terminated from their employment with a law enforcement agency as a result of seeking or receiving mental health care.

H.B. 2600 would prohibit a law enforcement agency from terminating the employment of a peace officer solely because the officer sought or received mental health care. This prohibition applies to mental health care regardless of whether the care was sought or received by a peace officer before, on, or after the bill's effective date.

H.B. 2600 repeals Section 614.015(a), Government Code.

H.B. 2600 amends current law relating to the employment of peace officers who seek or receive mental health care.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Subchapter A-1, Chapter 614, Government Code, to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER A-1. PROVISIONS RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter A-1, Chapter 614, Government Code, by adding Sections 614.014 and 614.016, as follows:

Sec. 614.014.� DEFINITION. Defines "law enforcement agency."

Sec. 614.016.� TERMINATION FOR SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROHIBITED. Prohibits a law enforcement agency from terminating the employment of a peace officer solely because the peace officer has sought or received mental health care.

SECTION 3. Repealer: Section 614.015(a) (relating to the definition of "law enforcement agency"), Government Code.

SECTION 4. Provides that Section 614.016, Government Code, as added by this Act, applies to mental health care regardless of whether the care was sought or received by a peace officer before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2023.