Bill Text: MS HB1190 | 2025 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: MS First Responder PTSD and Suicide Prevention Task Force; create.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-23 - Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub [HB1190 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2025-HB1190-Comm_Sub.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Felsher
House Bill 1190
(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI FIRST RESPONDER PTSD AND SUICIDE PREVENTION TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE; TO REQUIRE THE TASK FORCE TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2025; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Mississippi First Responder PTSD and Suicide Prevention Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to unite key stakeholders in order to assess the mental health needs of first responders and develop a strategic plan and proposed legislation. The task force shall review and make recommendations on how to identify PTSD and those contemplating suicide and on methods to prevent suicide for Mississippi's first responders. Additionally, this task force will identify methods to effectively provide treatment for first responders. For the purposes of this section only, the term "first responders" includes law enforcement officers, fire fighters, 911 dispatchers, members of the Mississippi National Guard and emergency medical services.
(2) The task force shall be composed of the following twenty-one (21) members:
(a) Three (3) members of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee appointed by the chair of the committee;
(b) Three (3) members of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee appointed by the chair of the committee;
(c) One (1) employee of the State Department of Health appointed by the executive director;
(d) One (1) employee of the State Department of Mental Health appointed by the executive director;
(e) One (1) employee of the Mississippi Department of Human Services appointed by the executive director;
(f) The Medical Director and the Director of the Office of Standards and Training of the Department of Public Safety, or their respective designees;
(g) One (1) employee of the Office of the Attorney General appointed by the Attorney General;
(h) Two (2) members, who must be therapists, appointed by the First Responders of Mississippi organization;
(i) One (1) member of the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police appointed by the president;
(j) One (1) member of the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association appointed by the president;
(k) One (1) member of the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association appointed by the president;
(l) One (1) member of the Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi appointed by the president;
(m) One (1) member of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Association appointed by the president;
(n) One (1) member of the Mississippi National Guard appointed by the Adjutant General of Mississippi; and
(o) One (1) employee of a member of the Mississippi Ambulance Alliance appointed by the president.
(3) The task force shall perform the following duties:
(a) Assess the needs of first responders by gathering input from first responders about mental health challenges and reviewing existing resources, and identify gaps in mental health support services;
(b) Develop a plan to address identified needs by creating a detailed plan for programs and services that will support first responders' mental health, and identify strategies to make mental health services accessible, affordable and effective;
(c) Foster collaboration among stakeholders by bringing together first responders, mental health professionals and policymakers to identify solutions and propose legislation;
(d) Identify ways to reduce mental health stigma by promoting education and awareness;
(e) Ensure oversight and sustainability of programs by establishing a system and recommending an agency or entity to monitor program effectiveness and make needed improvements, and to secure funding and resources in order to ensure programs can continue long-term; and
(f) Recommend relevant changes to Mississippi law and other state and local policies which can be implemented by state and local governmental entities.
(4) (a) Appointments to the task force must be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. Within fifteen (15) days thereafter, on a day to be designated jointly by the legislative members of the task force, the task force shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chair and vice chair. The vice chair shall serve also as the secretary and is responsible for keeping all records of the task force. A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the task force is required. Written notice of task force meetings shall be sent electronically to all members at least fifteen (15) days before the date on which a meeting is to be held.
(b) The task force shall meet at least once monthly.
(c) The task force shall make a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any recommended legislation and any funding needs, to the Legislature before December 1, 2025, at which time the task force will be dissolved.
(5) Members of the task force may not receive compensation for their service on the task force.
(6) To effectuate the purposes of this act, upon the request of the chair of the task force, a department, division, board, bureau, committee, institution or agency of the state or a political subdivision of the state shall provide the facilities, assistance, information and data needed to enable the task force to carry out its duties.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after April 1, 2025.
