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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of an advisory committee to study |
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suicide prevention and peer support programs in fire departments in |
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this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: |
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(1) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on Fire |
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Protection. |
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(2) "Fire department" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 419.021, Government Code. |
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(3) "Fire fighter" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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143.003, Local Government Code. |
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SECTION 2. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The commission shall |
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establish an advisory committee to study the need to implement |
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suicide prevention and peer support programs in fire departments in |
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this state. The committee is composed of the following members: |
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(1) two fire fighters, appointed by the Texas State |
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Association of Firefighters; |
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(2) two fire chiefs, appointed by the Texas Fire |
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Chiefs Association; |
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(3) one person who is licensed to provide professional |
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mental health services, as defined by Section 531.002, Health and |
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Safety Code, appointed by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association; |
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(4) one person who is licensed to provide professional |
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mental health services as defined by Section 531.002, Health and |
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Safety Code, appointed by the Texas State Association of |
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Firefighters; and |
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(5) the executive director of the commission. |
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(b) The committee shall designate a member of the committee |
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as chair of the committee. |
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(c) The commission may adopt rules necessary to carry out |
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the purpose and duties of the committee under this Act. |
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(d) The commission shall provide administrative support and |
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resources necessary for the committee to carry out the purpose and |
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duties of the committee under this Act. |
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(e) The committee may meet in person or by telephone |
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conference, videoconference, or other electronic means. |
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SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2024, the |
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advisory committee shall prepare and submit a report to the |
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governor and the legislature. The report must: |
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(1) provide an overview of suicide prevention and peer |
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support groups in fire departments; |
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(2) address possible licensing requirements and any |
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confidentiality concerns; and |
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(3) provide recommendations on: |
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(A) the need for legislation to implement suicide |
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prevention and peer support groups in fire departments; |
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(B) whether to encourage local governments to |
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develop local suicide prevention and peer support groups in fire |
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departments; and |
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(C) specific programs to be implemented in this |
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state. |
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SECTION 4. EXPIRATION DATE. The advisory committee created |
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by this Act is abolished and this Act expires January 10, 2025. |
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SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September |
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1, 2023. |