S.B. No. 1604 proposes the adoption of a mental health leave policy for certain qualified employees, specifically targeting peace officers, telecommunicators, criminal intelligence analysts, and crime analysts. The bill amends Section 614.015 of the Government Code to broaden the definition of "qualified employees" and mandates that each qualified agency develop a policy that allows these employees to take mental health leave without salary deductions when they experience a traumatic event in the course of their work.

The new policy must include clear guidelines for granting mental health leave, specify the number of leave days available, and ensure anonymity for employees taking such leave. Additionally, the policy may provide a list of mental health services available to qualified employees. The bill requires agencies to adopt these policies as soon as practicable after the effective date, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 614.015 (Government Code 614)