Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB64 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	S.B. No. 64
	1	+	By: Nelson, et al. S.B. No. 64
	2	+	(White)
2	3
3	4
	5	+	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
4	6		AN ACT
5	7		relating to a peer support network for certain law enforcement
6	8		personnel.
7	9		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
8	10		SECTION 1. Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is amended by
9	11		adding Subchapter M-1 to read as follows:
10	12		SUBCHAPTER M-1. PEER SUPPORT NETWORK FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
11	13		Sec. 1701.621. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
12	14		(1) "Law enforcement officer" means a person
13	15		identified as a peace officer under Article 2.12(1), (2), (3), or
14	16		(4), Code of Criminal Procedure.
15	17		(2) "Peer" means a person who is a law enforcement
16	18		officer or retired law enforcement officer.
17	19		Sec. 1701.622. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The
18	20		commission shall develop a peer support network for law enforcement
19	21		officers. The network must include:
20	22		(1) peer-to-peer support;
21	23		(2) training for peer service coordinators and peers
22	24		that includes suicide prevention training;
23	25		(3) technical assistance for program development,
24	26		peer service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals,
25	27		and peers; and
26	28		(4) identification, retention, and screening of
27	29		licensed mental health professionals.
28	30		(b) As part of the peer support network for law enforcement
29	31		officers, the commission shall ensure law enforcement officers have
30	32		support in both urban and rural jurisdictions.
31	33		(c) The commission shall solicit and ensure that
32	34		specialized training is provided to persons who are peers and who
33	35		want to provide peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer
34	36		services under the network.
35	37		(d) The commission may adopt rules necessary to implement
36	38		this subchapter.
37	39		Sec. 1701.623. CONTRACT WITH INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
38	40		EDUCATION. The commission may contract with an institution of
39	41		higher education that has appropriate expertise in mental health or
40	42		law enforcement to develop the peer support network under this
41	43		subchapter.
42	44		Sec. 1701.624. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PARTICIPANT INFORMATION.
43	45		Information relating to a law enforcement officer's participation
44	46		in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under the
45	47		network is confidential and may not be disclosed under Chapter 552,
46	48		Government Code, by:
47	49		(1) the commission;
48	50		(2) a law enforcement agency that employs a law
49	51		enforcement officer participant; or
50	52		(3) any other state agency or political subdivision in
51	53		this state that employs a law enforcement officer participant.
52	54		Sec. 1701.625. PROTECTIONS RELATED TO LICENSURE. A law
53	55		enforcement officer's participation in peer-to-peer support and
54	56		other peer-to-peer services under the network may not:
55	57		(1) serve as the basis for a revocation, suspension,
56	58		or denial of a license issued under this chapter; or
57	59		(2) be considered in any proceeding related to the
58	60		officer's licensure under this chapter.
59	61		Sec. 1701.626. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
60	62		each year, the commission shall submit a report to the governor and
61	63		the legislature that includes:
62	64		(1) the number of law enforcement officers who
63	65		received peer support through the peer support network for law
64	66		enforcement officers;
65	67		(2) the number of peers and peer service coordinators
66	68		trained;
67	69		(3) an evaluation of the services provided under this
68	70		subchapter; and
69	71		(4) recommendations for program improvements.
70	72		SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2022, the Texas
71	73		Commission on Law Enforcement shall develop the peer support
72	74		network for law enforcement officers, as required under Subchapter
73	75		M-1, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
74	76		SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
75	77		a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
76	78		provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
77	79		Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
78	80		Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
79		-	______________________________ ______________________________
80		-	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
81		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 64 passed the Senate on
82		-	March 29, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0;
83		-	May 27, 2021, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
84		-	requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 28, 2021, House
85		-	granted request of the Senate; May 29, 2021, Senate adopted
86		-	Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31,
87		-	Nays 0.
88		-	______________________________
89		-	Secretary of the Senate
90		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 64 passed the House, with
91		-	amendments, on May 25, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 140,
92		-	Nays 0, two present not voting; May 28, 2021, House granted request
93		-	of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
94		-	May 29, 2021, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
95		-	following vote: Yeas 137, Nays 0, one present not voting.
96		-	______________________________
97		-	Chief Clerk of the House
98		-	Approved:
99		-	______________________________
100		-	Date
101		-	______________________________
102		-	Governor