BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1090

By: Bell, Cecil

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1090 amends the Government Code to classify as a first responder for purposes of the governor's interoperable radio communications program an emergency response operator or emergency services dispatcher who provides communication support services for a governmental entity by responding to requests for assistance in emergencies and other emergency response personnel employed by a governmental entity.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.