(a) The state or any local or regional public fire agency may establish a Peer Support and Crisis Referral Program. The program shall be responsible for providing an agencywide network of peer representatives, reflective of the agency’s workforce both in job positions and personal experiences, who are available to come to the aid of their fellow employees on a broad range of emotional or professional issues.
(b) The Peer Support and Crisis Referral Program may provide employee support and referral services for matters such as, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1) Substance use and substance abuse.
(2) Critical incident stress.
(3) Family issues.
(4) Grief support.
(5) Legal issues.
(6) Line of duty deaths.
(7) Serious injury or illness.
(8) Suicide.
(9) Victims of crime.
(10) Workplace issues.
(c) A public fire agency may augment its Peer Support and Crisis Referral Program with program policies that are consistent with this act.
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 388, Sec. 2. (AB 1116) Effective January 1, 2020.)