H.B. No. 2 aims to improve disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in Texas by instituting new training requirements for justices of the peace, especially in counties lacking a medical examiner. The bill mandates the Department of State Health Services, in collaboration with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, to create a training program focused on managing mass fatality events. This program will cover essential protocols for autopsies, body identification standards, and best practices for data collection and coordination. Justices of the peace are required to complete this training within one year of their election to maintain their competency.

Additionally, the bill establishes a licensing framework for emergency managers, requiring individuals to obtain a license to serve as emergency management coordinators for more than six months. The Texas Commission on Fire Protection will oversee this licensing process, including setting training requirements and fees. The bill also allows access to criminal history records for those involved in disaster response, ensuring qualified personnel are engaged. It introduces a statewide volunteer management system to register and manage volunteers, mandates the development of a centralized fatality tracking system, and outlines the establishment of family assistance centers for those affected by mass fatality events. The bill includes provisions for delayed implementation of certain training requirements for current officeholders.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 411.1236, Government Code 418.005 (Government Code 418, Government Code 411)