89R16215 CXP-F

By: Thompson H.B. No. 35

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a peer support network for first responders.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 106, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter E and a heading is added to that subchapter to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER E. FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT NETWORK

SECTION 2. Sections 1701.621, 1701.622, 1701.624, and 1701.626, Occupations Code, are transferred to Subchapter E, Chapter 106, Education Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as Sections 106.71, 106.72, 106.73, and 106.74, Education Code, respectively, and amended to read as follows:

Sec. 106.71 [1701.621]. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Emergency medical services personnel" has the meaning assigned by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.

(2) "Firefighter" means a firefighter who is a permanent, paid employee of the fire department of a political subdivision. The term does not include a volunteer firefighter.

(3) "First responder" means emergency medical services personnel, a firefighter, or a law enforcement officer.

(4) "Law enforcement officer" means a person who is [identified as] a peace officer under Article 2A.001 [2.12(1), (2), (3), or (4)], Code of Criminal Procedure.

(5) [(2)] "Peer" means a person who is a first responder [law enforcement officer] or retired first responder [law enforcement officer].

(6) "University" means Texas Southern University.

Sec. 106.72 [1701.622]. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The university [commission] shall develop a first responder peer support network [for law enforcement officers]. The network must include:

(1) peer-to-peer support;

(2) training for peer service coordinators and peers that includes suicide prevention training;

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

(4) identification, retention, and screening of licensed mental health professionals.

(b) As part of the first responder peer support network [for law enforcement officers], the university [commission]:

(1) shall ensure first responders [law enforcement officers] have support in both urban and rural jurisdictions through the establishment of regional peer support hubs; and

(2) may establish a program to connect first responders with clinical resources at no cost to the first responders.

(c) The university [commission] shall 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.

[(d) The commission may adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter.]

Sec. 106.73 [1701.624]. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PARTICIPANT INFORMATION. Information relating to a first responder's [law enforcement officer's] participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under the network is confidential and [may] not subject to disclosure [be disclosed] under Chapter 552, Government Code[, by:

[(1) the commission;

[(2) a law enforcement agency that employs a law enforcement officer participant; or

[(3) any other state agency or political subdivision in this state that employs a law enforcement officer participant].

Sec. 106.74 [1701.626]. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of each year, the university [commission] shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature that includes:

(1) the number of first responders [law enforcement officers] who received peer support through the [peer support] network [for law enforcement officers];

(2) the number of peers and peer service coordinators trained, including the number of active peers and peer service coordinators and the retention rate of peers and peer service coordinators;

(3) the number of vacant regional director positions and the average length of time each position has been vacant;

(4) the number and types of community engagement events and outreach activities hosted by the network to promote first responder awareness and use of the network;

(5) the number of critical incident responses and wellness interventions facilitated by the network;

(6) an evaluation of the services provided under this subchapter; and

(7) [(4)] recommendations for program improvements.

SECTION 3. Section 419.036, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(e) The commission may not take disciplinary action against a regulated person based on the person's participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services and may not consider the person's participation during any disciplinary proceeding under this chapter.

SECTION 4. Section 773.061, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:

(f) The department may not take disciplinary action against a person described by Subsection (a)(1) based on the person's participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services and may not consider the person's participation during any disciplinary proceeding under this chapter.

SECTION 5. Section 1701.625, Occupations Code, is transferred to Subchapter K, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, redesignated as Section 1701.5015, Occupations Code, and amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1701.5015 [1701.625]. PROTECTIONS RELATED TO LICENSURE. The commission may not take disciplinary action under Section 1701.501 against an officer based on the [A law enforcement] officer's participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services and [under the network] may not consider the officer's participation during[:

[(1) serve as the basis for a revocation, suspension, or denial of a license issued under this chapter; or

[(2) be considered in] any disciplinary proceeding [related to the officer's licensure] under this chapter.

SECTION 6. The following provisions of the Occupations Code are repealed:

(1) Section 1701.623; and

(2) the heading to Subchapter M-1, Chapter 1701.

SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.