Congress·In Committee·H.R. 6601

Congress proposes 24/7 mental health help and 988 hotline option for first responders after disasters

CARE for First Responders Act

3 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

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.

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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(1)

Tribal Member

Neutral

Positive Impacts(6)

Retiree

Helps

Mental Health

Helps

Disability Benefits

Helps

Chronic Illness

Helps

Child Tax Credit

Helps

Small Business Owner

Helps

Milestones

3 milestones3 actions

Feb 2, 2026House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Dec 10, 2025House

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.

Dec 10, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Soon after the bill becomes law

HHS begins designing the specialized first-responder mental health program (including the 988-connected hotline concept).

First responders may start seeing planning, partnerships, and early rollouts, but services may not be fully available everywhere yet.

After funding is provided and HHS issues grant rules

Competitive grants for mobile crisis units are announced and applications open (if Congress funds them).

Local and Tribal health departments, community health centers, rural clinics, and nonprofits in/near disaster areas could apply for up to $150,000 to stand up mobile crisis services for first responders.

Related News

4 articles

Office of Rep. Jill Tokuda (press release)·3 months ago

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.

Office of Rep. Jill Tokuda (press release)·3 months ago

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.

Quiver Quant (CongressRadar aggregation)·3 months ago

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.