89R16215 CXP-F
By: Thompson H.B. No. 35
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a peer support network for first responders.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 106, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter E and a heading is added to that subchapter to
read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT NETWORK
SECTION 2. Sections 1701.621, 1701.622, 1701.624, and
1701.626, Occupations Code, are transferred to Subchapter E,
Chapter 106, Education Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as
Sections 106.71, 106.72, 106.73, and 106.74, Education Code,
respectively, and amended to read as follows:
Sec. 106.71 [1701.621]. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Emergency medical services personnel" has the
meaning assigned by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.
(2) "Firefighter" means a firefighter who is a
permanent, paid employee of the fire department of a political
subdivision. The term does not include a volunteer firefighter.
(3) "First responder" means emergency medical
services personnel, a firefighter, or a law enforcement officer.
(4) "Law enforcement officer" means a person who is
[identified as] a peace officer under Article 2A.001 [2.12(1), (2),
(3), or (4)], Code of Criminal Procedure.
(5) [(2)] "Peer" means a person who is a first
responder [law enforcement officer] or retired first responder [law
enforcement officer].
(6) "University" means Texas Southern University.
Sec. 106.72 [1701.622]. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a)
The university [commission] shall develop a first responder 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 first responder peer support network [for
law enforcement officers], the university [commission]:
(1) shall ensure first responders [law enforcement
officers] have support in both urban and rural jurisdictions
through the establishment of regional peer support hubs; and
(2) may establish a program to connect first
responders with clinical resources at no cost to the first
responders.
(c) The university [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. 106.73 [1701.624]. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PARTICIPANT
INFORMATION. Information relating to a first responder's [law
enforcement officer's] participation in peer-to-peer support and
other peer-to-peer services under the network is confidential and
[may] not subject to disclosure [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. 106.74 [1701.626]. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than
December 1 of each year, the university [commission] shall submit a
report to the governor and the legislature that includes:
(1) the number of first responders [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, including the number of active peers and peer service
coordinators and the retention rate of peers and peer service
coordinators;
(3) the number of vacant regional director positions
and the average length of time each position has been vacant;
(4) the number and types of community engagement
events and outreach activities hosted by the network to promote
first responder awareness and use of the network;
(5) the number of critical incident responses and
wellness interventions facilitated by the network;
(6) an evaluation of the services provided under this
subchapter; and
(7) [(4)] recommendations for program improvements.
SECTION 3. Section 419.036, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) The commission may not take disciplinary action against
a regulated person based on the person's participation in
peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services and may not
consider the person's participation during any disciplinary
proceeding under this chapter.
SECTION 4. Section 773.061, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
(f) The department may not take disciplinary action against
a person described by Subsection (a)(1) based on the person's
participation in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer
services and may not consider the person's participation during any
disciplinary proceeding under this chapter.
SECTION 5. Section 1701.625, Occupations Code, is
transferred to Subchapter K, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code,
redesignated as Section 1701.5015, Occupations Code, and amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 1701.5015 [1701.625]. PROTECTIONS RELATED TO
LICENSURE. The commission may not take disciplinary action under
Section 1701.501 against an officer based on the [A law
enforcement] officer's participation in peer-to-peer support and
other peer-to-peer services and [under the network] may not
consider the officer's participation during[:
[(1) serve as the basis for a revocation, suspension,
or denial of a license issued under this chapter; or
[(2) be considered in] any disciplinary proceeding
[related to the officer's licensure] under this chapter.
SECTION 6. The following provisions of the Occupations Code
are repealed:
(1) Section 1701.623; and
(2) the heading to Subchapter M-1, Chapter 1701.
SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.