By: Nelson, et al. S.B. No. 64
 
  (White)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a peer support network for certain law enforcement
  personnel.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter M-1 to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER M-1. PEER SUPPORT NETWORK FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
         Sec. 1701.621.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Law enforcement officer" means a person
  identified as a peace officer under Article 2.12(1), (2), (3), or
  (4), Code of Criminal Procedure.
               (2)  "Peer" means a person who is a law enforcement
  officer or retired law enforcement officer.
         Sec. 1701.622.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The
  commission shall develop a peer support network for law enforcement
  officers. The network must include:
               (1)  peer-to-peer support;
               (2)  training for peer service coordinators and peers
  that includes suicide prevention training;
               (3)  technical assistance for program development,
  peer service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals,
  and peers; and
               (4)  identification, retention, and screening of
  licensed mental health professionals.
         (b)  As part of the peer support network for law enforcement
  officers, the commission shall ensure law enforcement officers have
  support in both urban and rural jurisdictions.
         (c)  The commission shall solicit and ensure that
  specialized training is provided to persons who are peers and who
  want to provide peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer
  services under the network.
         (d)  The commission may adopt rules necessary to implement
  this subchapter.
         Sec. 1701.623.  CONTRACT WITH INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
  EDUCATION. The commission may contract with an institution of
  higher education that has appropriate expertise in mental health or
  law enforcement to develop the peer support network under this
  subchapter.
         Sec. 1701.624.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF PARTICIPANT INFORMATION.
  Information relating to a law enforcement officer's participation
  in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under the
  network is confidential and may not be disclosed under Chapter 552,
  Government Code, by:
               (1)  the commission;
               (2)  a law enforcement agency that employs a law
  enforcement officer participant; or
               (3)  any other state agency or political subdivision in
  this state that employs a law enforcement officer participant.
         Sec. 1701.625.  PROTECTIONS RELATED TO LICENSURE. A law
  enforcement officer's participation in peer-to-peer support and
  other peer-to-peer services under the network may not:
               (1)  serve as the basis for a revocation, suspension,
  or denial of a license issued under this chapter; or
               (2)  be considered in any proceeding related to the
  officer's licensure under this chapter.
         Sec. 1701.626.  ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
  each year, the commission shall submit a report to the governor and
  the legislature that includes:
               (1)  the number of law enforcement officers who
  received peer support through the peer support network for law
  enforcement officers;
               (2)  the number of peers and peer service coordinators
  trained;
               (3)  an evaluation of the services provided under this
  subchapter; and
               (4)  recommendations for program improvements.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2022, the Texas
  Commission on Law Enforcement shall develop the peer support
  network for law enforcement officers, as required under Subchapter
  M-1, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.