(a) An EMS provider may establish a peer support and crisis referral program. The program shall be responsible for providing a network of peer representatives, reflective of the provider’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 that include 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 peer support program shall be implemented through a labor-management agreement negotiated separately and apart from a collective bargaining agreement covering affected emergency medical personnel, if any.
(d) Sessions provided by a peer support program shall not count toward the total number of mental health treatments per issue required by Section 884 of the Labor Code.