89R23795 CXP-D
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 418, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter K to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT NETWORK
Sec. 418.351. 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 or a firefighter.
(4) "Peer" means a person who is a first responder or
retired first responder.
Sec. 418.352. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The division
shall develop a first responder peer support network. 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, the
division:
(1) shall ensure first responders 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 division 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.
Sec. 418.353. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PARTICIPANT INFORMATION.
Information relating to a first responder's participation in
peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under the
network is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter
552.
Sec. 418.354. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
each year, the division shall submit a report to the governor and
the legislature that includes:
(1) the number of first responders who received peer
support through the network;
(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) recommendations for program improvements.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.