Bill > S1659

This bill establishes legal protections for confidentiality in crisis intervention services for emergency service providers, such as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. The legislation defines key terms and creates a privileged communication framework for critical incident stress management sessions. Specifically, the bill ensures that information shared during these confidential sessions between emergency service providers and certified peer support providers or licensed mental health professionals cannot be disclosed to third parties, with several important exceptions. These exceptions include situations where there is a reasonable belief of imminent danger, potential criminal conduct, child abuse, or when the emergency service provider explicitly waives confidentiality. The bill requires crisis intervention service providers to be certified by specific organizations, maintain documentation of their certification with their employers, and establishes penalties for unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. The primary goal is to create a safe space for emergency service providers to discuss psychological stress and trauma resulting from critical incidents, thereby helping them cope with job-related emotional challenges and potentially preventing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1659