H.R. 8493

[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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