87R2603 GCB-D
By: Nelson S.B. No. 64
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a mental health program that includes peer-to-peer
counseling for certain law enforcement personnel.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1001, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter I-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER I-1. MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 1001.231. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Law enforcement officer" means a person
identified as a peace officer under Article 2.12(1), (2), (3), or
(4), Code of Criminal Procedure.
(2) "Peer" means a person who is a law enforcement
officer or a law enforcement officer's family member.
Sec. 1001.232. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The
executive commissioner shall develop a mental health intervention
program for law enforcement officers. The program must include:
(1) peer-to-peer counseling;
(2) access to licensed mental health professionals for
peer service coordinators and peers;
(3) training approved by the commission for peer
service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and
peers;
(4) technical assistance for peer service
coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and peers;
(5) identification, retention, and screening of
community-based licensed mental health professionals;
(6) suicide prevention training for peer service
coordinators and peers; and
(7) coordination of mental health first aid for law
enforcement officers and immediate family members of law
enforcement officers.
(b) As part of the mental health intervention program the
executive commissioner shall develop a mental health initiative for
law enforcement officers serving in rural jurisdictions.
(c) The commission shall solicit and ensure that
specialized training is provided to persons who are peers and who
want to provide peer-to-peer counseling or other peer-to-peer
services under the program.
(d) The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary to
implement this subchapter.
Sec. 1001.233. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
each year, the executive commissioner shall submit a report to the
governor and the legislature that includes:
(1) the number of law enforcement officers who
received services through the mental health intervention program
for law enforcement officers;
(2) the number of peers and peer service coordinators
trained;
(3) an evaluation of the services provided under this
subchapter; and
(4) recommendations for program improvements.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2022, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
develop the mental health intervention program for law enforcement
officers, as required under Subchapter I-1, Chapter 1001, Health
and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.