Bill > HB2103

This bill amends the Texas Government Code to expand existing mental health leave provisions for peace officers to include jailers, which are defined as county jailers and certain Texas Department of Criminal Justice employees who perform security, custodial, or supervisory functions related to prisoner management. The bill requires law enforcement agencies and state or political subdivision agencies that employ jailers or full-time telecommunicators to develop and adopt a mental health leave policy that provides clear guidelines for taking mental health leave after experiencing a traumatic event in the line of duty. The policy must specify the circumstances under which mental health leave can be taken, ensure that such leave does not result in a reduction of salary or compensation, define the number of mental health leave days available, and outline the level of anonymity for employees taking such leave. The bill also allows agencies to provide a list of available mental health services. Agencies are required to adopt these updated policies as soon as practicable after the bill's effective date, which is September 1, 2025, thereby recognizing the potential mental health challenges faced by jailers and providing them with supportive workplace policies.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2103