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89(R) HB 35 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
H.B. No. 35
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 or a volunteer of a state agency or the
fire department of a political subdivision.
(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 and
implementation; 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 to the extent possible through the
use of division resources; 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 trained, the number of first
responders the peers served, and the retention rate of peers;
(3)
the number and location of regional network
facilities in operation;
(4)
the number of critical incident events responded
to by the network;
(5)
an evaluation of the services provided under this
subchapter; and
(6) 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. Not later than March 31, 2026, the Texas Division
of Emergency Management shall develop the first responder peer
support network required by Subchapter K, Chapter 418, Government
Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 5. The Texas Division of Emergency Management is
required to implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates
money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not
appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the division may,
but is not required to, implement this Act using other
appropriations available for that purpose.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
______________________________
______________________________
President of the Senate
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 35 was passed by the House on May 1,
2025, by the following vote: Yeas 116, Nays 27, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 35 on May 28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 95, Nays 41, 1
present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 35 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 25, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor