HB35 - Relating to a peer support network for first responders.

      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