BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1090
86R5741 SRA-D	By: Bell, Cecil et al. (Kolkhorst)
	Water & Rural Affairs
	5/15/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Emergency response operators, emergency services dispatchers, and other emergency response personnel provide critical and often life-saving services for the public and various agencies and may encounter stressful and potentially traumatic events and experiences in the course of exercising their duties. While these personnel provide essential services to the community, they are not considered first responders under applicable state law and, as a result, are not afforded the same benefits and protections under state law as those who are. H.B. 1090 seeks to classify certain of these personnel as first responders.

H.B. 1090 amends current law relating to the definition of first responder.

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 Section 421.095(1), Government Code, to provide that the definition of "first responder" includes certain persons, including an emergency response operator or emergency services dispatcher who provides communication support services for an agency by responding to requests for assistance in emergencies and other emergency response personnel employed by an agency.

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SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1 , 2019.

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