| |
|
|
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 418, Government Code, is amended by |
|
|
adding Subchapter K to read as follows: |
|
|
SUBCHAPTER K. FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT NETWORK |
|
|
Sec. 418.351. 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 or a volunteer of the fire department of a |
|
|
political subdivision. |
|
|
(3) "First responder" means emergency medical |
|
|
services personnel or a firefighter. |
|
|
(4) "Peer" means a person who is a first responder or |
|
|
retired first responder. |
|
|
Sec. 418.352. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The division |
|
|
shall develop a first responder peer support network. 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 and |
|
|
implementation; and |
|
|
(4) identification, retention, and screening of |
|
|
licensed mental health professionals. |
|
|
(b) As part of the first responder peer support network, the |
|
|
division: |
|
|
(1) shall ensure first responders have support in both |
|
|
urban and rural jurisdictions to the extent possible through the |
|
|
use of division resources; and |
|
|
(2) may establish a program to connect first |
|
|
responders with clinical resources at no cost to the first |
|
|
responders. |
|
|
(c) The division 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. |
|
|
Sec. 418.353. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PARTICIPANT INFORMATION. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
Sec. 418.354. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of |
|
|
each year, the division shall submit a report to the governor and |
|
|
the legislature that includes: |
|
|
(1) the number of first responders who received peer |
|
|
support through the network; |
|
|
(2) the number of peers trained, the number of first |
|
|
responders the peers served, and the retention rate of peers; |
|
|
(3) the number and location of regional network |
|
|
facilities in operation; |
|
|
(4) an evaluation of the services provided under this |
|
|
subchapter; and |
|
|
(5) recommendations for program improvements. |
|
|
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. Not later than March 31, 2026, the Texas Division |
|
|
of Emergency Management shall develop the first responder peer |
|
|
support network required by Subchapter K, Chapter 418, Government |
|
|
Code, as added by this Act. |
|
|
SECTION 5. The Texas Division of Emergency Management is |
|
|
required to implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates |
|
|
money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not |
|
|
appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the division may, |
|
|
but is not required to, implement this Act using other |
|
|
appropriations available for that purpose. |
|
|
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
|
|
|
|
|
* * * * * |