89R6425 SCF-F     By: Campos H.B. No. 1593       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.