CARE for First Responders Act
Congress proposes 24/7 mental health help and 988 hotline option for first responders after disasters
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Expands disaster crisis counseling help to include first responders responding to major disasters, not just disaster survivors.
- Defines first responders to include 911 call-takers and dispatchers, along with other emergency response workers.
- Requires Health and Human Services to build a first-responder-focused mental health program within 2 years, including 24/7 access and family education.
- Creates a confidential, toll-free first responder hotline through the 988 crisis line, staffed by trained mental health workers.
- Sets up grants (up to $150,000 each) for mobile, on-site crisis units in disaster areas; authorizes $5 million per year for 2026–2030.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articles
Tokuda, Fitzpatrick, Balint, LaMalfa Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Mental Health Services for First Responders
Announcement of the CARE for First Responders Act (H.R. 6601), including FEMA disaster counseling expansion, a 988-based 24-hour first responder hotline, HHS peer support/outreach, and mobile/on-site service grants.
Reps. Tokuda, Fitzpatrick, Balint, LaMalfa, Tran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Mental Health Care Services for First Responders
Follow-up release detailing bill provisions: FEMA counseling eligibility for responders after major disasters, mobile/on-site crisis supports via grants, and expansion of a confidential 24/7 hotline via 988.
Press Release: Reps. Balint, Tokuda, Fitzpatrick, LaMalfa, and Tran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Mental Health Services for First Responders
Aggregated coverage summarizing the CARE for First Responders Act’s components, including support for specialized counseling, mobile crisis support, and a dedicated confidential hotline option for responders.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
CARE for First Responders Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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