88R13049 SCP-F
 
  By: Campos H.B. No. 3528
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of an advisory committee to study
  suicide prevention and peer support programs in fire departments in
  this state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Commission on Fire
  Protection.
               (2)  "Fire department" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 419.021, Government Code.
               (3)  "Fire fighter" has the meaning assigned by Section
  143.003, Local Government Code.
         SECTION 2.  ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a)  The commission shall
  establish an advisory committee to study the need to implement
  suicide prevention and peer support programs in fire departments in
  this state.  The committee is composed of the following members:
               (1)  two fire fighters, appointed by the Texas State
  Association of Firefighters;
               (2)  two fire chiefs, appointed by the Texas Fire
  Chiefs Association;
               (3)  one person who is licensed to provide professional
  mental health services, as defined by Section 531.002, Health and
  Safety Code, appointed by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association;
               (4)  one person who is licensed to provide professional
  mental health services as defined by Section 531.002, Health and
  Safety Code, appointed by the Texas State Association of
  Firefighters; and
               (5)  the executive director of the commission.
         (b)  The committee shall designate a member of the committee
  as chair of the committee.
         (c)  The commission may adopt rules necessary to carry out
  the purpose and duties of the committee under this Act.
         (d)  The commission shall provide administrative support and
  resources necessary for the committee to carry out the purpose and
  duties of the committee under this Act.
         (e)  The committee may meet in person or by telephone
  conference, videoconference, or other electronic means.
         SECTION 3.  REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2024, the
  advisory committee shall prepare and submit a report to the
  governor and the legislature.  The report must:
               (1)  provide an overview of suicide prevention and peer
  support groups in fire departments;
               (2)  address possible licensing requirements and any
  confidentiality concerns; and
               (3)  provide recommendations on:
                     (A)  the need for legislation to implement suicide
  prevention and peer support groups in fire departments;
                     (B)  whether to encourage local governments to
  develop local suicide prevention and peer support groups in fire
  departments; and
                     (C)  specific programs to be implemented in this
  state.
         SECTION 4.  EXPIRATION DATE. The advisory committee created
  by this Act is abolished and this Act expires January 10, 2025.
         SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
  1, 2023.