89R5864 MPF-D

By: Goodwin H.B. No. 4863

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to required mental health awareness training for first responders.

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

SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 9, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Chapter 786 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 786. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING

FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Sec. 786.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.

(2) "First responder" has the meaning assigned by Section 421.095, Government Code.

(3) "First responder training program" means a program that provides training required for certification or licensure as a first responder, including the training required under:

(A) Chapter 773;

(B) Chapter 419, Government Code; and

(C) Chapter 1701, Occupations Code.

Sec. 786.002. REQUIRED MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING. (a) A person who provides to first responders and first responder trainees a first responder training program shall:

(1) include as part of the program at least six hours of training on mental health awareness that covers:

(A) the most common mental health issues first responders experience;

(B) the impact of chronic trauma on a first responder's duties;

(C) signs and symptoms of mental illness; and

(D) strategies for first responders to attain mental wellness and resiliency; and

(2) require first responders and first responder trainees to successfully complete the training described by Subdivision (1) as part of the program.

(b) In providing the training described by Subsection (a), a person who provides a first responder training program must use a mental health awareness training curriculum developed or adopted under Section 786.003.

Sec. 786.003. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING CURRICULUM. (a) The commission shall develop or adopt a curriculum for the first responder mental health awareness training required by Section 786.002. In developing or adopting the curriculum, the commission shall collaborate with state agencies that certify or license first responders.

(b) Each state agency that certifies or licenses first responders shall ensure the applicable first responder training program required for certification or licensure as a first responder uses the mental health awareness training curriculum developed or adopted by the commission under this section.

SECTION 2. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsection (u) to read as follows:

(u) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the commission shall require an officer to complete the mental health awareness training curriculum the Health and Human Services Commission develops or adopts under Section 786.003, Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 3. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act:

(1) the Health and Human Services Commission shall develop or adopt the first responder mental health awareness training curriculum required by Section 786.003, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act; and

(2) each state agency that certifies or licenses first responders subject to Chapter 786, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, shall ensure:

(A) each first responder training program subject to the chapter includes the mental health awareness training and curriculum required by that chapter; and

(B) each first responder and first responder trainee subject to the chapter completes the required training.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2028, a peace officer or reserve law enforcement officer who holds a license issued under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, on or before January 1, 2026, shall complete the mental health awareness training curriculum required by Section 1701.253(u), Occupations Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.