By: Nelson, et al. S.B. No. 64
(White)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a peer support network for certain law enforcement
personnel.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter M-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER M-1. PEER SUPPORT NETWORK FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Sec. 1701.621. 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 retired law enforcement officer.
Sec. 1701.622. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The
commission shall develop a 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 peer support network for law enforcement
officers, the commission shall ensure law enforcement officers have
support in both urban and 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 support and other peer-to-peer
services under the network.
(d) The commission may adopt rules necessary to implement
this subchapter.
Sec. 1701.623. CONTRACT WITH INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
EDUCATION. The commission may contract with an institution of
higher education that has appropriate expertise in mental health or
law enforcement to develop the peer support network under this
subchapter.
Sec. 1701.624. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PARTICIPANT INFORMATION.
Information relating to a law enforcement officer's participation
in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under the
network is confidential and may not 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. 1701.625. PROTECTIONS RELATED TO LICENSURE. A law
enforcement officer's participation in peer-to-peer support and
other peer-to-peer services under the network may not:
(1) serve as the basis for a revocation, suspension,
or denial of a license issued under this chapter; or
(2) be considered in any proceeding related to the
officer's licensure under this chapter.
Sec. 1701.626. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
each year, the commission shall submit a report to the governor and
the legislature that includes:
(1) the number of 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;
(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 Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall develop the peer support
network for law enforcement officers, as required under Subchapter
M-1, Chapter 1701, Occupations 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.