The First Responders Wellness Act (S. 4892)

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

If enacted, this bill would create a dedicated federal funding stream for mental health support specifically tailored to the unique occupational stressors faced by police, firefighters, and 911 dispatchers, while ensuring their counseling remains confidential from agency management.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Law enforcement officers

They are the primary recipients of the proposed mental health demonstration program and confidential counseling services.

First responders (firefighters, 911 operators, rescue squads)

They are eligible for the new national 24/7 mental health hotline and peer support services.

Graduate students in mental health fields

They may be placed with law enforcement agencies to complete field work and internships under the grant program.

Law enforcement leadership

They are prohibited from receiving identifiable mental health information about officers participating in the demonstration program.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill proposes a new federal grant program to provide mental health services to law enforcement and establishes a 24/7 national hotline for all first responders. It authorizes $35 million annually from 2025 through 2031 to fund these mental health initiatives and training programs.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the new mental health services?

The bill defines first responders as law enforcement officers, firefighters, rescue squad members, ambulance crew members, and public safety telecommunicators (including 911 operators and dispatchers), including retired personnel.

Will my police department know if I use these services?

No. The bill explicitly requires that mental health providers adhere to strict confidentiality and prohibits them from sharing identifiable information with law enforcement leadership or management.

How will the new hotline interact with the existing 988 lifeline?

The new hotline will operate as a separate number but will have options with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and 988 personnel will receive specialized training on first responder needs.

Why It Matters

If enacted, this bill would create a dedicated federal funding stream for mental health support specifically tailored to the unique occupational stressors faced by police, firefighters, and 911 dispatchers, while ensuring their counseling remains confidential from agency management.

News Coverage

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Related Legislation

Federal Bill85% related

The SMART Community Policing Act (H.R. 10449)

This bill expands federal funding for local police departments to hire mental health professionals and paramedics for crisis response teams. It aims t

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy15
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level