Relating to an advisory committee to study suicide prevention and peer support programs in fire departments in this state.
LowStandard timeline
Low Cost
Effective:2025-05-28
Enforcing Agencies
Texas Commission on Fire Protection
01
Compliance Analysis
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
Implementation Timeline
Effective Date:May 28, 2025 (Immediate effect triggered by legislative supermajority).
Compliance Deadline:N/A for Department Operations. The only hard deadline applies to the Advisory Committee, which must submit its findings by September 1, 2026.
Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) must immediately adopt administrative rules to form the committee. Regulatory Gray Zone: Between now and 2027, peer support standards remain undefined; departments should expect TCFP to issue data requests (RFIs) to inform the committee's study.
Immediate Action Plan
Audit Internal Programs: Inventory all existing peer support policies and training records immediately.
Segregate Data: Ensure mental health utilization data is aggregated and anonymized to protect employee privacy while preparing for state data calls.
Monitor TCFP: Assign a compliance liaison to track TCFP Advisory Committee agendas; submit public comments if proposed recommendations threaten your current operational model.
Update Legal Risk Profile: Until the 2027 legislation passes, continue to treat peer support communications as potentially discoverable in litigation.
Operational Changes Required
Contracts
Mental Health Vendors: Review current agreements with EAP providers or external clinicians. Insert "Change in Law" clauses allowing for contract renegotiation if TCFP adopts new certification standards for peer support oversight post-2026.
Training Providers: Do not lock into long-term (3+ year) exclusive contracts for specific peer support training curriculums, as the committee may recommend a standardized state curriculum that renders proprietary training non-compliant.
Hiring/Training
Current Status: No change to current certification requirements.
Future Preparation: The committee is explicitly tasked with studying "licensing requirements." Departments should maintain detailed logs of all current peer support team training hours and certifications to facilitate potential "grandfathering" requests if new licensure rules are adopted in 2027.
Reporting & Record-Keeping
Internal Audit: Immediate action is required to centralize data on your department's peer support utilization.
Data Readiness: Although not yet mandatory, expect the committee to request aggregate data regarding program structure, volunteer counts, and suicide statistics. Ensure this data is anonymized and ready for submission to TCFP upon request.
Fees & Costs
Current Impact: None.
Future Impact: Budget forecasting for FY2027 should anticipate potential costs for state-mandated peer support certification courses and licensure fees.
Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations
The committee is charged with resolving two critical legal ambiguities. General Counsels must monitor the committee's minutes for direction on:
1.Confidentiality Privilege: The law currently lacks clarity on whether peer support communications are privileged in civil/criminal discovery. The committee's recommendation will determine if your department's peer support records are discoverable in future litigation.
2.Licensure Scope: It is unclear if the committee will recommend licensing the *individual* (requiring every peer supporter to hold a license) or the *program* (requiring department-level certification). This distinction significantly impacts administrative burden and liability.
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The International Association of Fire Fighters Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery states that eight percent of professional firefighters have had suicidal thoughts. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a compensable illness under workers compensation in Texas for firefighters and police. The bill author has informed the committee that while Texas firefighters generally have access to health insurance and workers compensation, there is not currently a statewide strategy for firefighters to find health care professionals that can identify and treat PTSD in early stages. H.B. 1593 seeks to address this issue by establishing a study group to advise the legislature on future legislation regarding suicide prevention and peer support for firefighters.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection in SECTION 2 of this bill.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 1593 requires the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) to establish an advisory committee to study the need to implement suicide prevention and peer support programs in Texas fire departments. The bill sets out the composition of the 11-member advisory committee as follows:
·two fire fighters and one licensed provider of mental health services, appointed by the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters;
·two fire fighters and one licensed provider of mental health services, appointed by the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas;
·two fire chiefs and one licensed provider of mental health services, appointed by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association;
·one person, appointed by the executive director of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service; and
·the executive director of TCFP.
With respect to the administration of the advisory committee, the bill does the following:
·requires the committee to designate a committee member as chair;
·authorizes TCFP to adopt rules to carry out the committee's purpose and duties;
·requires TCFP to provide administrative support and resources necessary for the committee to do so; and
·authorizes the committee to meet in person or by telephone conference, videoconference, or other electronic means.
H.B. 1593 requires the advisory committee, not later than September 1, 2026, to prepare and submit a report to the governor and the legislature. The report must do the following:
·provide an overview of suicide prevention and peer support groups in fire departments;
·address possible licensing requirements and any confidentiality concerns; and
·provide recommendations on:
othe need for legislation to implement suicide prevention and peer support groups in fire departments;
owhether to encourage local governments to develop such groups in fire departments; and
ospecific programs to be implemented in Texas.
The advisory committee is abolished and the bill's provisions expire January 10, 2027.
Honorable Cecil Bell, Chair, House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1593 by Campos (Relating to an advisory committee to study suicide prevention and peer support programs in fire departments in this state.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
According to the Texas Commission on Fire Prevention, any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
411 Commission on Fire Protection
LBB Staff:
JMc, SZ, CSh, JLa
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HB1593 establishes a state-level advisory committee to standardize suicide prevention and peer support protocols within Texas fire departments, effective immediately. While this legislation imposes no immediate mandates on individual departments, it initiates the regulatory process to define future licensing requirements and confidentiality privileges for peer support programs, likely resulting in statutory mandates in 2027. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: May 28, 2025 (Immediate effect triggered by legislative supermajority).
Q
Who authored HB1593?
HB1593 was authored by Texas Representative Elizabeth Campos during the Regular Session.
Q
When was HB1593 signed into law?
HB1593 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 28, 2025.
Q
Which agencies enforce HB1593?
HB1593 is enforced by Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
Q
How urgent is compliance with HB1593?
The compliance urgency for HB1593 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
Q
What is the cost impact of HB1593?
The cost impact of HB1593 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
Q
What topics does HB1593 address?
HB1593 addresses topics including fire fighters & police, fire fighters & police--general, mental health & substance abuse, occupational regulation and occupational regulation--other trades & professions.
Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025
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