By: Campos, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Middleton) H.B. No. 3528
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 2023;
May 9, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Local
Government; May 22, 2023, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 22, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of an advisory committee to study
suicide prevention and peer support programs in fire departments in
this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on Fire
Protection.
(2) "Fire department" has the meaning assigned by
Section 419.021, Government Code.
(3) "Fire fighter" has the meaning assigned by Section
143.003, Local Government Code.
SECTION 2. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The commission shall
establish an advisory committee to study the need to implement
suicide prevention and peer support programs in fire departments in
this state. The committee is composed of the following members:
(1) two fire fighters, appointed by the Texas State
Association of Firefighters;
(2) two fire fighters, appointed by the State
Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas;
(3) two fire chiefs, appointed by the Texas Fire
Chiefs Association;
(4) one person who is licensed to provide professional
mental health services, as defined by Section 531.002, Health and
Safety Code, appointed by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association;
(5) one person who is licensed to provide professional
mental health services as defined by Section 531.002, Health and
Safety Code, appointed by the Texas State Association of
Firefighters;
(6) one person who is licensed to provide professional
mental health services, as defined by Section 531.002, Health and
Safety Code, appointed by the State Firefighters' and Fire
Marshals' Association of Texas;
(7) one person, appointed by the executive director of
the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service; and
(8) the executive director of the commission.
(b) The committee shall designate a member of the committee
as chair of the committee.
(c) The commission may adopt rules necessary to carry out
the purpose and duties of the committee under this Act.
(d) The commission shall provide administrative support and
resources necessary for the committee to carry out the purpose and
duties of the committee under this Act.
(e) The committee may meet in person or by telephone
conference, videoconference, or other electronic means.
SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2024, the
advisory committee shall prepare and submit a report to the
governor and the legislature. The report must:
(1) provide an overview of suicide prevention and peer
support groups in fire departments;
(2) address possible licensing requirements and any
confidentiality concerns; and
(3) provide recommendations on:
(A) the need for legislation to implement suicide
prevention and peer support groups in fire departments;
(B) whether to encourage local governments to
develop local suicide prevention and peer support groups in fire
departments; and
(C) specific programs to be implemented in this
state.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION DATE. The advisory committee created
by this Act is abolished and this Act expires January 10, 2025.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2023.
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