HB 45

By: McLaughlin
  H.B. No. 45
  A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
  AN ACT
  relating to a guide on preparing for and responding to a flooding
  disaster.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 418.0535 to read as follows:
         Sec. 418.0535.  FLOODING DISASTER GUIDE.  (a)  The division,
  in collaboration with the department and the emergency management
  council established under Section 418.013, shall develop a guide on
  preparing for and responding to a flood disaster for civic,
  volunteer, and community organizations.
         (b)  The guide must provide a comprehensive approach to
  preparing for and responding to a flooding disaster and include
  information on:
               (1)  the impact of a flooding disaster on a community
  and the best practices for community engagement in response to the
  disaster;
               (2)  recommendations for minimizing casualties through
  volunteer presence in the disaster area;
               (3)  the coordination of and access to assistance
  resources, including trauma and support services, acute support
  services, long-term support services, spiritual support services,
  and family or victim assistance;
               (4)  long-term recovery and community resilience;
               (5)  communication coordination, including strategies
  to coordinate community response;
               (6)  training and preparation resources on flooding
  disaster response; and
               (7)  preserving and restoring community cohesion and
  public life after the disaster.
         (c)  The division shall post the guide on the division's
  publicly available Internet website.
         (d)  The division, in collaboration with the department, may
  seek the advice and assistance of local governments, civic
  organizations, volunteer organizations, and community leaders in
  the development and revision of the guide.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than April 1, 2026, the Texas Division
  of Emergency Management shall post on the division's publicly
  available Internet website a flooding disaster preparation and
  response guide, as required by Section 418.0535, Government Code,
  as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.