119 S4819 IS: Lifeline for First Responders Act U.S. Senate 2026-06-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4819IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 17, 2026Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mr. Hawley, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. King, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Coons, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Bennet, and Mrs. Shaheen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo amend title 23, United States Code, to establish an EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Lifeline for First Responders Act.

2.

EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program

(a)

In general

Chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 408 the following:

409.

EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (referred to in this section as the Secretary), shall establish a grant program, to be known as the EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program (referred to in this section as the program), to support first responder mental health, stress reduction, family services, and suicide prevention.(b)

Placement

The program shall be carried out through the Office of Emergency Medical Services of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.(c)

Eligible entities

An entity eligible to receive a grant under the program is—(1)a Federal, State, Tribal, or local fire service that supplies emergency medical services;(2)an EMS agency; and(3)a dispatch center.(d)

Authorized uses

A grant provided under the program may be used for—(1)evidence-based stress reduction and mental health services;(2)suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention services;(3)confidential counseling, peer support, and behavioral health services;(4)family support services for spouses and children; and(5)outreach, stigma reduction, education, training, and technical assistance.(e)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2028 through 2032.

.(b)

Clerical amendment

The analysis for chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 408 the following:409. EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program..