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.
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