Healthcare (Public Safety)

in committee · Texas · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 4521: Relating to the requirements for certain emergency medical services certification providers; authorizing a fee.

HB 4521 requires for-profit emergency medical services (EMS) certification providers in specific Texas counties (adjacent to the Mexico border, with over 500,000 residents, and no city exceeding that population) to meet new standards. Providers must publicly disclose course costs online, pay a 10% fee based on student enrollment costs to the Health and Human Services Commission, and cannot charge students for this fee. The bill also mandates that course coordinators hold a bachelor's degree and have at least 10 years of EMS instructor experience. These requirements apply to all affected providers starting September 1, 2025, and do not apply to non-profit providers or other counties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates EMS certification standards, transparency, and funds HHS Commission - improves healthcare provider quality and oversight per bill's requirements.95% confidence

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in committee · Texas · Senate Feb 7, 2025

SB 751: Relating to applicability of civil service status to emergency medical services personnel in certain municipalities.

SB 751 would extend civil service status to emergency medical services (EMS) personnel working in municipal departments separate from fire departments. This applies only to Texas municipalities with 460,000+ residents operating under a city manager form of government. The bill amends state law to require these cities to grant EMS staff the same job protections and standardized hiring processes as other civil service employees. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends civil service protections to EMS personnel, strengthening workforce stability in emergency healthcare services per Health--Emergency Services & Personnel subject.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends civil service protections (job security, standardized hiring) to EMS personnel, directly strengthening employment rights for this worker group per bill's explicit language.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Texas · House Mar 7, 2025

HB 1104: Relating to a program to provide housing vouchers to emergency medical services personnel in certain counties.

HB 1104 creates a housing voucher program for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in Texas counties with populations between 1 million and 1.5 million. The bill amends the Government Code to establish this program, requiring the Texas Housing Corporation to administer it using available resources. Key provisions include the corporation’s board setting eligibility rules, determining voucher amounts, and establishing program requirements - such as income criteria or residency needs - based on state law definitions of EMS personnel. The program will begin on September 1, 2025, and may accept private gifts or grants to fund operations, but does not specify state appropriations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides housing vouchers for EMS personnel, directly supporting healthcare workforce retention and access to emergency medical services as indicated in Health--Emergency Services & Personnel subject.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates housing voucher program for EMS personnel, directly funding affordable housing assistance through Texas Housing Corporation.95% confidence

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in committee · Texas · House Mar 14, 2025

HB 2387: Relating to the entitlement to benefits for chaplains employed by certain fire departments, police departments, and other law enforcement agencies.

HB 2387 adds chaplains employed by fire departments, police departments, and law enforcement agencies to the list of public safety employees eligible for certain health benefits. To qualify, a chaplain must have passed a physical exam at hiring that didn't reveal the illness they later seek benefits for, worked for at least five years in such a role, and be seeking benefits for a covered illness discovered during employment. The bill clarifies these benefits do not apply to survivor benefits, lawsuits, or private insurance policies beyond state requirements, and are excluded if the illness is linked to the chaplain's tobacco use.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands health benefits eligibility to chaplains in public safety roles, directly advancing healthcare coverage for a new employee group under Health--Emergency Services & Personnel.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation benefits to chaplains in public safety roles, explicitly adding them to eligible employees under Labor--Workers' Compensation (I0470)90% confidence

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in committee · Texas · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 5309: Relating to the establishment of the local 9-1-1 response fund and grant program.

HB 5309 establishes a special state fund to support local 9-1-1 emergency response improvements. The fund, financed by state appropriations, grants, and interest earnings, will provide grants to cities, counties, and other local governments. These grants must be used to reduce emergency response times through specific contracts requiring the state to ensure funds achieve their public purpose. The bill mandates the state division to set application rules, eligibility criteria, and oversight for grant distribution. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded 9-1-1 grant program via appropriations, directly allocating budget resources to emergency services funding.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes fund for emergency response improvements under 'Health--Emergency Services & Personnel' subject, directly supporting healthcare access by reducing response times for emergencies.85% confidence

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in committee · Texas · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 5556: Relating to waivers permitting non-certified drivers to operate in partnership with state-certified emergency medical personnel.

HB 5556 extends existing and future waivers allowing non-certified drivers to work alongside state-certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics in Texas emergency medical services. It eliminates the need for renewal applications for current waivers and removes this requirement for new waivers approved after the bill's effective date. The Texas Department of State Health Services will develop rules to clarify updated certification requirements for providers. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting EMS providers relying on non-certified drivers for ambulance operations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends waivers for non-certified drivers with EMTs, streamlining emergency response operations to improve access to emergency medical services.85% confidence

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passed · Texas · House May 19, 2025

HB 3420: Relating to certain mental health policies and services for peace officers, fire fighters, and telecommunicators.

HB 3420 requires Texas law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and telecommunicator employers to create mental health leave policies for their peace officers, firefighters, and full-time telecommunicators. The bill mandates that these policies must provide clear guidelines for using leave after traumatic work events, guarantee no salary reduction, specify the number of available leave days, and ensure anonymity for employees who take leave. It directly affects public safety workers who experience trauma while performing their duties. The policy must also list available mental health services in the employer's area. The bill focuses on creating structured support systems rather than altering funding or service delivery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mental health leave policies for law enforcement personnel, promoting officer well-being and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health leave policies with no salary loss, anonymity, and clear guidelines for public safety workers, directly advancing mental health services access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates mental health leave policies with no salary reduction, anonymity, and trauma-specific guidelines for public safety workers, directly protecting workplace safety and workers' rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health Tags Public Safety

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passed · Texas · House May 13, 2025

HB 3358: Relating to the definition of an emergency service provider for purposes of critical incident stress management and crisis response services.

HB 3358 clarifies who qualifies as an "emergency service provider" under Texas law for access to critical incident stress management and crisis response services. It expands the definition to specifically include law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services providers, dispatchers, rescue service providers, and staff from district attorney offices (like attorneys and investigators). This change directly affects these professionals by ensuring they are explicitly covered under the state's support services for trauma response. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health crisis response access for emergency medical personnel, directly supporting mental health services for healthcare workers.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands crisis response access for emergency workers, enhancing workplace safety support for covered professionals.65% confidence

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signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 35: Relating to a peer support network for first responders.

HB 35 creates a state-mandated peer support network for Texas first responders, directly affecting emergency medical services personnel and firefighters. The law requires the state agency to develop peer-to-peer support programs, provide suicide prevention training for peer coordinators, and ensure confidential access to mental health resources at no cost to responders. It also mandates annual reports tracking participation numbers, peer training outcomes, regional facility locations, and program evaluations. The network aims to improve mental health support across both urban and rural communities while protecting participant privacy under confidentiality rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state-funded peer support and mental health resources for first responders, directly strengthening mental health services for emergency medical personnel.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Tags Public Safety

passed · Texas · House May 15, 2025

HB 1896: Relating to a mental health leave policy for certain public safety employees.

HB 1896 requires Texas public safety agencies to adopt mental health leave policies specifically for telecommunicators - emergency call center staff (like 911 operators) who handle critical public safety communications. The bill amends the Government Code to define "telecommunicator" and mandates agencies to create these leave policies by September 1, 2025. The policy would allow telecommunicators to take leave for mental health treatment without penalty, directly affecting their workplace rights. This is a policy change requiring agency action, not new funding or benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health leave for telecommunicators without penalty, directly supporting access to mental health services for public safety workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates mental health leave without penalty for telecommunicators, protecting workplace rights and expanding employee benefits per EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & LEAVE subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Tags Public Safety

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