The Texas Division of Emergency Management must develop a mental health resources plan for first responders after a critical incident and provide it to local emergency management directors. Political subdivisions that receive the plan must implement it and share it with their councils of governments.
Sec. 391.0041. MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES PLAN FOR FIRST RESPONDER INVOLVED IN CRITICAL INCIDENT. (a) In this section: (1) "Council of governments" means a regional planning commission for a state planning region created under this chapter. (2) "Critical incident" means an incident involving a first responder that occurs while the first responder is performing official duties and that results in serious bodily injury to the first responder or poses a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death to the first responder or of serious harm to the first responder's mental health or well-being. (3) "First responder" means: (A) a peace officer described by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure; (B) an individual included as fire protection personnel by Section 419.021, Government Code; and (C) an individual included as emergency medical services personnel by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code. (b) The Texas Division of Emergency Management, in coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of State Health Services, shall: (1) develop a mental health resources plan to address the mental health needs of first responders following a critical incident; and (2) provide the plan to each local emergency management director in the state. (c) A plan developed under Subsection (b): (1) must identify and provide for: (A) education and training to a first responder prior to a critical incident on topics including: (i) the potential psychological impact that being involved in an incident may have on the first responder; and (ii) resources available to the first responder to address the psychological impact of an incident, including mental health counseling, peer support programs, and stress management practices; or (B) a list of recommended providers located within the territory of the council of governments who can provide the education and training described by Paragraph (A); (2) may recommend that an employer of a first responder: (A) create a process to conduct a critical incident stress debriefing following an incident; and (B) create a peer support program to support the first responder following an incident; and (3) may include any other recommendation the council of governments considers appropriate to address the mental health needs of a first responder following a critical incident. (d) Each political subdivision that receives a plan under this section shall: (1) implement the plan; and (2) share the plan with each council of governments that has jurisdiction over the political subdivision to ensure regional plan integration and awareness. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 361 (H.B. 33), Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2025.