H.R. 8493

119 HR 8493 IH: Peer Support for Our First Responders Act of 2026
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-04-23
 text/xml
 EN
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 8493  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   April 23, 2026   Mr. Subramanyam  (for himself,  Mr. Alford , and  Mr. Rutherford ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Energy and Commerce , and in addition to the Committees on  the Judiciary , and  Transportation and Infrastructure , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned   A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to establish an interagency working group on peer-to-peer behavioral health programs for law enforcement officers and first responders, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Peer Support for Our First Responders Act of 2026  .
2.
Interagency working group on peer-to-peer behavioral health programs for law enforcement officers and first responders
(a)
Establishment
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish an interagency working group to—
(1)
review best practices for peer-to-peer behavioral health programs that are tailored to law enforcement officers and first responders; and
(2)
issue updated recommendations to Congress on ways to improve mental and behavioral health outcomes for law enforcement officers and first responders, including ways of reducing suicide risk and addressing substance use conditions.
(b)
Review of best practices
In conducting the review under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall—
(1)
ensure that peer-to-peer behavioral health programs are evaluated for distinct occupational models given the unique operational environments, exposures, and experiences; and
(2)
include best practices relating to—
(A)
confidentiality protections;
(B)
training standards for peer supporters; and
(C)
integration of services with licensed mental and behavioral health professionals.
(c)
Members
(1)
In general
The working group shall be composed of the following members:
(A)
The Secretary.
(B)
The Attorney General.
(C)
The Secretary of Homeland Security.
(D)
Representatives of Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, and local government agencies employing law enforcement officers and first responders, to be appointed by the Secretary.
(E)
Law enforcement officers and first responders, to be appointed by the Secretary, including law enforcement officers and first responders with direct experience participating in peer-to-peer behavioral health programs.
(F)
Representatives of nongovernmental organizations, including organizations that support the interests of law enforcement officers and first responders, to be appointed by the Secretary.
(2)
Balanced representation
In appointing members under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall seek to achieve a membership that represents a variety of viewpoints across agencies, organizations, and experience levels.
(d)
Publication requirement; report to Congress
Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the working group shall—
(1)
make publicly available on the internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services a report detailing the results of the review to be conducted under subsection (a)(1), including—
(A)
a compilation of evidence-based findings; and
(B)
an identification of minimum standards for effective peer-to-peer behavioral health programs for law enforcement officers and first responders; and
(2)
submit to Congress a report containing the updated recommendations to be issued under subsection (a)(2), including recommendations on—
(A)
how peer-to-peer behavioral health programs for law enforcement officers and first responders should function as a part of the broader continuum of behavioral health care; and
(B)
opportunities for providing Federal grant guidance, technical assistance, and interagency coordination to support implementation of effective peer-to-peer behavioral health programs.
(e)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
First responder
The term  first responder  includes firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, public safety telecommunicators, corrections public safety personnel, and such other emergency response personnel as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(2)
Secretary
The term  Secretary  means, unless otherwise indicated, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use.
(f)
Termination
The working group shall terminate on the date that is one year after the date on which the working group complies with the requirements of subsection (d).
(g)
Evaluation of need for updating recommendations
Following the termination date established by subsection (f), the Secretary may submit to Congress a request to reconvene the working group if the Secretary determines that there is a need to further—
(1)
update recommendations on ways to improve mental health outcomes for law enforcement officers and first responders; or
(2)
review best practices for peer-to-peer behavior health programs that are tailored to law enforcement officers and first responders.
(h)
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.