Bills · HR 6601
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 6601Health
CARE for First Responders Act
INTRO DEC 10· LAST ACTION FEB 2
READING
9MIN
COSPONSORS
19
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill addresses a significant, often overlooked issue: the mental health toll on first responders. These individuals regularly face traumatic events, critical incidents, and high-stress situations, which can lead to higher rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use. Currently, mental health resources for these essential workers can be fragmented or difficult to access, and there's often a stigma associated with seeking help.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide a dedicated, comprehensive support system, including immediate crisis counseling, confidential hotlines, and peer support, which could help reduce mental health crises and suicides among these essential workers. This would mean stronger, healthier first responder communities, better equipped to protect the public. If it doesn't pass, first responders would continue to rely on existing, often inadequate, mental health services, potentially leaving many without proper support when they need it most after critical incidents, impacting their well-being and their ability to serve.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Expands federal crisis counseling assistance under the Stafford Act to include qualified emergency response providers (first responders and 911 dispatchers) responding to major disasters.
Ensures first responders receive mental health support using federal disaster relief funds, similar to disaster victims.
PROVISION 02
Establishes a comprehensive mental health program for first responders under the Department of Health and Human Services, including a 24-hour hotline via the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Creates a dedicated national system for first responder mental health, offering accessible, confidential support.
PROVISION 03
Mandates research into best practices for first responder mental health services and suicide prevention, involving multiple federal agencies.
Aims to improve the effectiveness of mental health services by basing them on evidence and expert collaboration.
PROVISION 04
Creates a peer support counseling program where trained active and retired first responders help their colleagues with mental health and readjustment issues.
Offers support from individuals who understand the unique challenges of emergency work, which can help reduce stigma and improve trust.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes competitive grants for organizations to establish mobile units that deliver on-site, short-term crisis mental health services to first responders at disaster areas.
Provides immediate, specialized mental health care directly where it's needed after traumatic events, making help more accessible.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 19
D· Hawaii
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
42
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 31%
DEM 16 REP 3 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSFEB 2
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
DEC 10
Introduced in House
DEC 10
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.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 6601
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedDec 10, 2025
Last actionFeb 2, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED DEC 10, 2025
House BillHR 6601Health
CARE for First Responders Act
INTRODUCED DEC 10, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 2, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
9 min
COSPONSORS
19
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
