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119-s-666119th CongressWALLET
First Responders Wellness Act
Sponsored By: Senator Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced
Summary
A national mental health hotline for first responders connects first responders and their families to peer support, crisis counseling, substance use help, and referrals. The bill also expands disaster counseling to emergency responders and requires a report on mobile crisis care.
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- First responders and their families gain a 24/7 toll-free voice and text hotline staffed by culturally competent peer specialists who understand first responder trauma, with a separate recognizable number linked to the 988 Lifeline and bidirectional transfer options. It must be operational within two years.
- Emergency response providers who respond to major disasters become eligible for services under the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program, giving them access to short-term counseling and training after disasters.
- The Department of Health and Human Services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must run the hotline, coordinate with existing hotlines, develop trauma-informed training for 988 centers, run outreach, and report to Congress annually.
*Authorizes $10.0 million per year for fiscal years 2025–2031 to carry out the hotline, which would increase federal spending by up to $70.0 million if appropriated.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More mental health help for first responders
If enacted, the bill would create a national, toll-free mental health hotline for first responders and their household members. The hotline would operate 24/7 with live voice and text and must be ready within two years. Staff would include culturally competent first-responder peer specialists and licensed mental health providers. HHS would develop trauma-informed training for 988 center staff within two years. HHS would also issue a report on mobile crisis sites within one year. The bill would expand crisis counseling after major disasters to qualified emergency responders, including 9-1-1 staff. It would define who counts as a first responder and set training rules. It would authorize $10 million a year for each fiscal year 2025 through 2031.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
MO • R
Sponsored 2/20/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov