Fire Department Suicide Prevention Study Ends In 2027 With No Program

The text as introduced · 492 words

89R6425 SCF-F

By: Middleton
S.B. No. 1131

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an advisory committee to study suicide prevention and

peer support programs in fire departments in this state.

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

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:

(1) "Advisory committee" means the advisory committee

established under this Act.

(2) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on Fire

Protection.

(3) "Fire department" has the meaning assigned by

Section 419.021, Government Code.

(4) "Fire fighter" has the meaning assigned by Section

143.003, Local Government Code.

SECTION 2. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The commission shall

establish an advisory committee to study the need to implement

suicide prevention and peer support programs in fire departments in

this state. The committee is composed of the following members:

(1) two fire fighters, appointed by the Texas State

Association of Fire Fighters;

(2) two fire fighters, appointed by the State

Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas;

(3) two fire chiefs, appointed by the Texas Fire

Chiefs Association;

(4) one person who is licensed to provide professional

mental health services, as defined by Section 531.002, Health and

Safety Code, appointed by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association;

(5) one person who is licensed to provide professional

mental health services as defined by Section 531.002, Health and

Safety Code, appointed by the Texas State Association of Fire

Fighters;

(6) one person who is licensed to provide professional

mental health services, as defined by Section 531.002, Health and

Safety Code, appointed by the State Firefighters' and Fire

Marshals' Association of Texas;

(7) one person, appointed by the executive director of

the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service; and

(8) the executive director of the commission.

(b) The advisory committee shall designate a member of the

committee as chair of the committee.

(c) The commission may adopt rules necessary to carry out

the purpose and duties of the advisory committee under this Act.

(d) The commission shall provide administrative support and

resources necessary for the advisory committee to carry out the

purpose and duties of the committee under this Act.

(e) The advisory committee may meet in person or by

telephone conference, videoconference, or other electronic means.

SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2026, the

advisory committee shall prepare and submit a report to the

governor and the legislature. The report must:

(1) provide an overview of suicide prevention and peer

support groups in fire departments;

(2) address possible licensing requirements and any

confidentiality concerns; and

(3) provide recommendations on:

(A) the need for legislation to implement suicide

prevention and peer support groups in fire departments;

(B) whether to encourage local governments to

develop local suicide prevention and peer support groups in fire

departments; and

(C) specific programs to be implemented in this

state.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION DATE. The advisory committee is

abolished and this Act expires January 10, 2027.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September

1, 2025.