SB2555 - Relating to a first responder peer support network for certain firefighters and law enforcement personnel.

  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.