87R12108 JCG-D
By: Dean, Bowers H.B. No. 4299
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement on
mental health services provided to peace officers in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 1701.165 to read as follows:
Sec. 1701.165. STUDY ON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR PEACE
OFFICERS. (a) The commission shall study the provision,
availability, and accessibility of mental health services for peace
officers.
(b) In studying the mental health services, the commission
shall collect information from:
(1) law enforcement agencies in this state regarding
any mental health programs provided by the agencies, and to the
extent available, the use of mental health services by the peace
officers of the agencies; and
(2) the governor's office regarding the office's
implementation of the grant programs under Sections 772.0073 and
772.0074, Government Code, and the impact of those programs.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2022, the commission shall
submit a written report to the legislature with recommendations on:
(1) increasing the effectiveness and availability of
mental health services for peace officers;
(2) establishing a mental health program, including a
peer mentoring program, within a state agency or political
subdivision that employs peace officers to improve access to mental
health services for the peace officers;
(3) developing sources of funding for programs that
provide peace officers with access to effective mental health
services; and
(4) any other related issue the commission considers
appropriate.
(d) This section expires January 1, 2023.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.