Texas HB 1593: Relating to an advisory committee to study suicide prevention and peer support programs in fire departments in this state.

Bill Text

89(R) HB 1593 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

  

  

  
 H.B. No. 1593

  

  

  

  

 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