[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8493 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8493
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Peer Support for Our First
Responders Act of 2026''.
SEC. 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.
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