89R15497 EAS-D
By: West S.B. No. 2555
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a first responder peer support network for certain
firefighters and law enforcement personnel.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle E, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 115 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 115. FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT NETWORK
Sec. 115.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Law enforcement officer" means a person
identified as a peace officer under Article 2A.001(1), (2), (3), or
(4), Code of Criminal Procedure.
(2) "Peer" means a person who is:
(A) a firefighter or retired firefighter; or
(B) a law enforcement officer or retired law
enforcement officer.
(3) "Peer support network" means the first responder
peer support network for firefighters and law enforcement officers
established under this chapter.
Sec. 115.002. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The Texas
Commission on Fire Protection and Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement shall jointly develop a first responder peer support
network for firefighters and law enforcement officers. The network
must include:
(1) peer-to-peer support;
(2) training for peer service coordinators and peers
that incorporates suicide prevention training;
(3) technical assistance for program development and
the provision of technical assistance to peer service coordinators,
licensed mental health professionals, and peers; and
(4) identification, retention, and screening of
licensed mental health professionals.
(b) The Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall ensure firefighters and law
enforcement officers are provided support through the peer support
network in both urban and rural jurisdictions.
(c) The Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall solicit and ensure the
provision of specialized training to peers who want to provide
peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under the peer
support network.
(d) The Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement may adopt rules necessary to
implement this chapter.
Sec. 115.003. CONTRACT WITH INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
EDUCATION. The Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement may contract with an institution of
higher education in this state that has appropriate expertise in
mental health, firefighting, or law enforcement to develop the peer
support network.
Sec. 115.004. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PARTICIPANT INFORMATION.
Information relating to a firefighter's or law enforcement
officer's participation in peer-to-peer support and other
peer-to-peer services under the peer support network is
confidential and may not be disclosed under Chapter 552, Government
Code, by:
(1) the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement;
(2) a fire department that employs a firefighter
participant;
(3) a law enforcement agency that employs a law
enforcement officer participant; or
(4) any other state agency or political subdivision in
this state that employs a firefighter or law enforcement officer
participant.
Sec. 115.005. LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION PROTECTIONS. A
firefighter's or law enforcement officer's participation in
peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under the peer
support network may not:
(1) serve as the basis for a revocation, suspension,
or denial of a license or certification; or
(2) be considered in any proceeding related to the
firefighter's certification or the officer's licensure.
Sec. 115.006. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
each year, the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall jointly prepare and submit to
the governor and the legislature a written report that includes:
(1) the number of firefighters and law enforcement
officers who received peer support through the peer support
network;
(2) the number of peers and peer service coordinators
trained;
(3) an evaluation of the services provided under this
chapter; and
(4) recommendations for program improvements.
SECTION 2. Subchapter M-1, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code,
is repealed.
SECTION 3. Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas
Commission on Fire Protection and Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement shall develop the first responder peer support network
for firefighters and law enforcement officers required by Chapter
115, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.