HERO Act
- Last Action
- 5/26/2023
Actions
- 2023-05-26Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2023-05-25Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
- 2023-05-25Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
- 2023-05-25Introduced in House
- 2023-05-25Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2023-05-25 (00)
Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Act or the HERO Act
This bill establishes and authorizes a series of programs relating to the behavioral health of law enforcement officers, first responders, 9-1-1 operators, and other public safety officers and health care providers.
Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must develop best practices for identifying, preventing, and treating post-traumatic stress and co-occurring disorders in public safety officers. HHS must work with the Fire Administration (a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and other federal agencies to incorporate the best practices into education and training programs for public safety officers.
In addition, the Fire Administration must develop resources to educate mental health professionals about the workplace stressors and evidence-based therapies to treat mental health issues common to firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) providers.
The bill also permits HHS to establish (1) a system at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for reporting suicides of public safety officers, and (2) grant programs to support behavioral health and wellness programs for fire departments, EMS agencies, and health care providers.
Cosponsors (15)
- Paul Tonko (D-NY)
- BARBARA LEE (D-CA)
- Henry Johnson (D-GA)
- ELEANOR NORTON (D-DC)
- Monica De La Cruz (R-TX)
- Salud Carbajal (D-CA)
- André Carson (D-IN)
- Derek Kilmer (D-WA)
- Dina Titus (D-NV)
- Susan Wild (D-PA)
- David Trone (D-MD)
- Michael Lawler (R-NY)
- Jared Huffman (D-CA)
- GRACE NAPOLITANO (D-CA)
- Ann Kuster (D-NH)
Subjects
- Census and government statistics
- Congressional oversight
- Employment and training programs
- First responders and emergency personnel
- Government information and archives
- Health personnel
- Health programs administration and funding
- Health promotion and preventive care
- Medical tests and diagnostic methods
- Mental health
- Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
- Tax-exempt organizations
- Worker safety and health
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.