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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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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 of the fire department of a political |
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subdivision. The term does not include a volunteer firefighter. |
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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, |
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peer service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, |
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and peers; 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 through the establishment of regional |
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peer support hubs; 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 and peer service coordinators |
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trained, including the number of active peers and peer service |
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coordinators and the retention rate of peers and peer service |
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coordinators; |
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(3) the number of vacant regional director positions |
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and the average length of time each position has been vacant; |
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(4) the number and types of community engagement |
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events and outreach activities hosted by the network to promote |
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first responder awareness and use of the network; |
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(5) the number of critical incident responses and |
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wellness interventions facilitated by the network; |
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(6) an evaluation of the services provided under this |
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subchapter; and |
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(7) 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. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |