BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.H.B. 35
89R32005 CXP-F	By: Thompson (West)
	Health & Human Services
	5/22/2025
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2021, the 87th Texas Legislature responded to the crisis of the high number of suicides committed by Texas' law enforcement officers by passing S.B. 64, that created a peer support network for peace officers under the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Reports produced by the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network say the increased access to trained peer support provided by the network has measurably reduced the number of law enforcement officers who die by suicide. As a result, proponents of H.B. 35 believe these outcomes should be replicated to provide the same peer-based support for firefighters and emergency management services personnel (EMS).

H.B. 35 seeks to address this issue through the establishment of a first responder peer support network. H.B. 35 passed the House on May 1, 2025, by a vote of 116-27-1.

H.B. 35 (House Engrossed) amends the Government Code to require the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to develop a first responder peer support network that includes the following:

� peer-to-peer support;

� training for peer service coordinators and peers that includes suicide prevention training;

� technical assistance for program development, peer service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and peers; and

� identification, retention, and screening of licensed mental health professionals.

TDEM is required to ensure first responders have support in both urban and rural jurisdictions through the establishment of regional peer support hubs and may establish a program to connect first responders with clinical resources at no cost to the first responders. The bill requires TDEM to 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.

H.B. 35 establishes that information relating to a first responder's participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under the network is confidential and not subject to disclosure under state public information law.

H.B. 35 prohibits the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) from taking disciplinary action against a regulated person based on the person's participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services and from considering the person's participation during any disciplinary proceeding conducted under TCFP statutes.

H.B. 35 amends the Health and Safety Code to prohibit the Department of State Health Services from taking disciplinary action against EMS personnel based on their participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services and from considering their participation during any disciplinary proceeding under the Emergency Health Care Act.

Committee Substitute Differences from House Engrossed

C.S.H.B. 35 was drafted based on requests and recommendations from the committee, TDEM, and the bill's author.

C.S.H.B. 35 �

Contains language to provide peer support for volunteer firefighters. Sec. 418.351(2)
Amends language in Section 418.352 including (b)(1) to provide greater flexibility to TDEM who has existing statewide regional service centers.
Deletes language in Sections 418.354(3), (4), and (5). Section 418.354(4) is not necessary given that the peer network does not require community engagement events. It is created to provide support for firefighters and EMS workers.
SECTION 4 creates language that pushes the implementation date to March 31, 2026, to allow TDEM sufficient time for program creation and implementation.
SECTION 5 adds the Huffman/Nelson/Ogden amendment at the request of the Chair.

C.S.H.B. 35 amends current law relating to a peer support network for first responders.

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 Chapter 418, Government Code, by adding Subchapter K, as follows:

SUBCHAPTER K. FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT NETWORK

Sec. 418.351. DEFINITIONS. Defines "emergency medical services personnel," "firefighter," "first responder," and "peer."

Sec. 418.352. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) Requires the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to develop a first responder peer support network. Requires that the network include certain services.

(b) Provides that, as part of the first responder peer support network, TDEM is required to ensure first responders have support in both urban and rural jurisdictions through the establishment of regional peer support hubs and is authorized to establish a program to connect first responders with clinical resources at no cost to the first responders.

(c) Requires the division to 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.

Sec. 418.353. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PARTICIPANT INFORMATION. Provides that information relating to a first responder's participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under the network is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552 (Public Information).

Sec. 418.354. ANNUAL REPORT. Requires TDEM, not later than December 1 of each year, to submit a report to the governor and the legislature that includes certain information.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 419.036, Government Code, by adding Subsection (e), to prohibit the Texas Commission on Fire Protection from taking disciplinary action against a regulated person based on the person's participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services and considering the person's participation during any disciplinary proceeding under Chapter 419 (Texas Commission on Fire Protection).

SECTION 3. Amends Section 773.061, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsection (f), to prohibit the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) from taking disciplinary action against a person described by Subsection (a)(1) (relating to requiring DSHS, for a certain violation, to reprimand emergency medical services personnel) based on the person's participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services and from considering the person's participation during any disciplinary proceeding under Chapter 773 (Emergency Medical Services).

SECTION 4. Requires TDEM, not later than March 31, 2026, to develop the first responder peer support network required by Subchapter K, Chapter 418 (Emergency Management), Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 5. Provides that TDEM is required to implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. Provides that, if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose, TDEM is authorized to, but is not required to, implement this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose.

SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 2025.