bill requires mental health training for first responders

The text as introduced · 583 words

89R5864 MPF-D

By: Goodwin
H.B. No. 4863

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to required mental health awareness training for first

responders.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 9, Health and Safety Code, is

amended by adding Chapter 786 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 786. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING

FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Sec. 786.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services

Commission.

(2) "First responder" has the meaning assigned by

Section 421.095, Government Code.

(3) "First responder training program" means a program

that provides training required for certification or licensure as a

first responder, including the training required under:

(A) Chapter 773;

(B) Chapter 419, Government Code; and

(C) Chapter 1701, Occupations Code.

Sec. 786.002. REQUIRED MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING.

(a) A person who provides to first responders and first responder

trainees a first responder training program shall:

(1) include as part of the program at least six hours

of training on mental health awareness that covers:

(A) the most common mental health issues first

responders experience;

(B) the impact of chronic trauma on a first

responder's duties;

(C) signs and symptoms of mental illness; and

(D) strategies for first responders to attain

mental wellness and resiliency; and

(2) require first responders and first responder

trainees to successfully complete the training described by

Subdivision (1) as part of the program.

(b) In providing the training described by Subsection (a), a

person who provides a first responder training program must use a

mental health awareness training curriculum developed or adopted

under Section 786.003.

Sec. 786.003. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING CURRICULUM.

(a) The commission shall develop or adopt a curriculum for the

first responder mental health awareness training required by

Section 786.002. In developing or adopting the curriculum, the

commission shall collaborate with state agencies that certify or

license first responders.

(b) Each state agency that certifies or licenses first

responders shall ensure the applicable first responder training

program required for certification or licensure as a first

responder uses the mental health awareness training curriculum

developed or adopted by the commission under this section.

SECTION 2. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended

by adding Subsection (u) to read as follows:

(u) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the

commission shall require an officer to complete the mental health

awareness training curriculum the Health and Human Services

Commission develops or adopts under Section 786.003, Health and

Safety Code.

SECTION 3. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective

date of this Act:

(1) the Health and Human Services Commission shall

develop or adopt the first responder mental health awareness

training curriculum required by Section 786.003, Health and Safety

Code, as added by this Act; and

(2) each state agency that certifies or licenses first

responders subject to Chapter 786, Health and Safety Code, as added

by this Act, shall ensure:

(A) each first responder training program

subject to the chapter includes the mental health awareness

training and curriculum required by that chapter; and

(B) each first responder and first responder

trainee subject to the chapter completes the required training.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2028, a peace officer or

reserve law enforcement officer who holds a license issued under

Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, on or before January 1, 2026, shall

complete the mental health awareness training curriculum required

by Section 1701.253(u), Occupations Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.