Relating to a peer support network for first responders, the official 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