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AN ACT
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relating to a peer support network for first responders. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter K to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER K. FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT NETWORK |
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Sec. 418.351. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Emergency medical services personnel" has the |
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meaning assigned by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code. |
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(2) "Firefighter" means a firefighter who is a |
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permanent, paid employee or a volunteer of a state agency or the |
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fire department of a political subdivision. |
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(3) "First responder" means emergency medical |
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services personnel or a firefighter. |
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(4) "Peer" means a person who is a first responder or |
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retired first responder. |
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Sec. 418.352. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The division |
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shall develop a first responder peer support network. The network |
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must include: |
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(1) peer-to-peer support; |
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(2) training for peer service coordinators and peers |
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that includes suicide prevention training; |
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(3) technical assistance for program development and |
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implementation; and |
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(4) identification, retention, and screening of |
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licensed mental health professionals. |
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(b) As part of the first responder peer support network, the |
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division: |
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(1) shall ensure first responders have support in both |
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urban and rural jurisdictions to the extent possible through the |
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use of division resources; and |
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(2) may establish a program to connect first |
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responders with clinical resources at no cost to the first |
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responders. |
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(c) The division shall solicit and ensure that specialized |
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training is provided to persons who are peers and who want to |
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provide peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under |
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the network. |
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Sec. 418.353. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PARTICIPANT INFORMATION. |
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Information relating to a first responder's participation in |
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peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under the |
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network is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter |
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552. |
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Sec. 418.354. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of |
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each year, the division shall submit a report to the governor and |
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the legislature that includes: |
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(1) the number of first responders who received peer |
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support through the network; |
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(2) the number of peers trained, the number of first |
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responders the peers served, and the retention rate of peers; |
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(3) the number and location of regional network |
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facilities in operation; |
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(4) the number of critical incident events responded |
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to by the network; |
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(5) an evaluation of the services provided under this |
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subchapter; and |
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(6) recommendations for program improvements. |
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SECTION 2. Section 419.036, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: |
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(e) The commission may not take disciplinary action against |
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a regulated person based on the person's participation in |
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peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services and may not |
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consider the person's participation during any disciplinary |
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proceeding under this chapter. |
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SECTION 3. Section 773.061, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: |
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(f) The department may not take disciplinary action against |
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a person described by Subsection (a)(1) based on the person's |
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participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer |
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services and may not consider the person's participation during any |
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disciplinary proceeding under this chapter. |
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SECTION 4. Not later than March 31, 2026, the Texas Division |
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of Emergency Management shall develop the first responder peer |
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support network required by Subchapter K, Chapter 418, Government |
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Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 5. The Texas Division of Emergency Management is |
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required to implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates |
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money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not |
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appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the division may, |
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but is not required to, implement this Act using other |
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appropriations available for that purpose. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 35 was passed by the House on May 1, |
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2025, by the following vote: Yeas 116, Nays 27, 1 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 35 on May 28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 95, Nays 41, 1 |
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present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 35 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 25, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |