summary
Introduced
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
In Committee
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act. Provides that confidentiality protections under the Act apply regardless of whether the peer support person is employed by, or affiliated with, the same agency as the first responder receiving support. Provides that, except in specified circumstances, all communications, records, notes, reports, or information disclosed during, or in connection with, a critical incident stress management session is confidential and may not be disclosed by any CISM practitioner. Provides that a CISM practitioner may not be compelled to testify or disclose any communication, record, note, report, or information disclosed during, or in connection with, a critical incident stress management session in any administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding. Provides that the confidentiality protections under the provisions apply whether or not the CISM practitioner is affiliated with the same agency as the individual receiving services. Provides that any communication described in the provisions is subject to subpoena for good cause shown. Provides that the confidentiality protections under the provisions do not apply to (1) any threat of suicide or homicide made by a participant in a peer support counseling session or any information conveyed in a peer support counseling session related to a threat of suicide or homicide; (2) any information mandated by law or agency policy to be reported, including, but not limited to, domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or elder abuse or neglect; (3) any admission of criminal conduct; or (4) an admission or act of refusal to perform duties to protect others or the employee of the emergency services provider or law enforcement agency. Defines "CISM practitioner" and "CISM services".
AI Summary
This bill amends the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act to strengthen confidentiality protections for first responders seeking support. It clarifies that these protections apply even if the peer support person is not from the same agency as the first responder receiving help. The bill also introduces new provisions for Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) sessions, defining a "CISM practitioner" as any certified individual providing CISM services, regardless of their agency affiliation, and defining "CISM services" as various forms of crisis intervention and support. Crucially, it establishes that all communications, records, and information shared during CISM sessions are confidential and cannot be disclosed by a CISM practitioner, nor can they be compelled to testify about them in any legal or administrative proceeding, again, regardless of agency affiliation. However, these confidentiality protections have specific exceptions, including threats of suicide or homicide, information legally required to be reported (like child abuse or domestic violence), admissions of criminal conduct, or refusal to perform duties to protect others. While generally confidential, communications can be subject to subpoena if good cause is shown.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Rules Committee (on 02/06/2026)
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