The Emergency Responders Mental Health Training Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a pilot fellowship program that funds postbaccalaureate training for mental health and substance use disorder professionals. This initiative aims to increase the number of culturally competent practitioners who understand the unique stressors, duties, and confidentiality requirements faced by emergency response providers such as police, firefighters, and EMTs. The bill authorizes $10 million in annual appropriations for fiscal years 2028 through 2033 to support these fellowships across fields including psychiatry, nursing, social work, and psychology. Additionally, the Secretary must submit reports to Congress two and five years after the program's establishment to evaluate its efficiency, impact on patient outcomes, and overall effectiveness.
The Lifeline for First Responders Act establishes a new federal grant program administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to support the mental health and well-being of first responders. The program provides funding to eligible entities, including fire services, emergency medical services agencies, and dispatch centers, at all levels of government. Grant funds may be used for evidence-based stress reduction, suicide prevention, confidential counseling, family support services, and outreach programs aimed at reducing stigma. The bill authorizes $7.5 million in appropriations annually for fiscal years 2028 through 2032 to carry out these initiatives.
The 9-8-8 and 9-1-1 Integration Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a multidisciplinary panel that will develop recommendations for training and protocols for emergency dispatchers. The primary goal is to ensure that individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance use crises are connected to appropriate care services rather than being met solely by law enforcement. The panel must consider integrating the 9-8-8 crisis line with the 9-1-1 system, utilizing standardized assessment tools to evaluate caller needs, and implementing training on cultural competency and implicit bias. Additionally, the legislation requires the creation of data collection standards to track response outcomes and disparities while protecting caller privacy, with reports submitted to Congress upon the release of recommendations and every five years thereafter.
