Bill Text: TX SB64 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Enrolled

Texas Senate Bill 64 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating to a peer support network for certain law enforcement personnel.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2021-06-14 - Effective immediately [SB64 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB64-Enrolled.html



	S.B. No. 64




	AN ACT
	relating to a peer support network for certain law enforcement
	personnel.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter M-1 to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER M-1. PEER SUPPORT NETWORK FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
	Sec. 1701.621. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
	(1) "Law enforcement officer" means a person
	identified as a peace officer under Article 2.12(1), (2), (3), or
	(4), Code of Criminal Procedure.
	(2) "Peer" means a person who is a law enforcement
	officer or retired law enforcement officer.
	Sec. 1701.622. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The
	commission shall develop a peer support network for law enforcement
	officers. 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,
	peer service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals,
	and peers; and
	(4) identification, retention, and screening of
	licensed mental health professionals.
	(b) As part of the peer support network for law enforcement
	officers, the commission shall ensure law enforcement officers have
	support in both urban and rural jurisdictions.
	(c) The commission 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.
	(d) The commission may adopt rules necessary to implement
	this subchapter.
	Sec. 1701.623. CONTRACT WITH INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
	EDUCATION. The commission may contract with an institution of
	higher education that has appropriate expertise in mental health or
	law enforcement to develop the peer support network under this
	subchapter.
	Sec. 1701.624. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PARTICIPANT INFORMATION.
	Information relating to a law enforcement officer's participation
	in peer-to-peer support and other peer-to-peer services under the
	network is confidential and may not be disclosed under Chapter 552,
	Government Code, by:
	(1) the commission;
	(2) a law enforcement agency that employs a law
	enforcement officer participant; or
	(3) any other state agency or political subdivision in
	this state that employs a law enforcement officer participant.
	Sec. 1701.625. PROTECTIONS RELATED TO LICENSURE. A law
	enforcement officer's participation in peer-to-peer support and
	other peer-to-peer services under the network may not:
	(1) serve as the basis for a revocation, suspension,
	or denial of a license issued under this chapter; or
	(2) be considered in any proceeding related to the
	officer's licensure under this chapter.
	Sec. 1701.626. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
	each year, the commission shall submit a report to the governor and
	the legislature that includes:
	(1) the number of law enforcement officers who
	received peer support through the peer support network for law
	enforcement officers;
	(2) the number of peers and peer service coordinators
	trained;
	(3) an evaluation of the services provided under this
	subchapter; and
	(4) recommendations for program improvements.
	SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2022, the Texas
	Commission on Law Enforcement shall develop the peer support
	network for law enforcement officers, as required under Subchapter
	M-1, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2021.






	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House

	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 64 passed the Senate on
	March 29, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0;
	May 27, 2021, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
	requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 28, 2021, House
	granted request of the Senate; May 29, 2021, Senate adopted
	Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31,
	Nays 0.


	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate

	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 64 passed the House, with
	amendments, on May 25, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 140,
	Nays 0, two present not voting; May 28, 2021, House granted request
	of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
	May 29, 2021, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
	following vote: Yeas 137, Nays 0, one present not voting.


	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House



	Approved:

	______________________________
	Date


	______________________________
	Governor