Bill > HB4129

This bill establishes a statewide law enforcement officer mental health and wellness program within the Department of Public Safety (DPS), in collaboration with the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, to provide confidential mental health counseling, crisis counseling, peer support, family support, suicide prevention services, and telehealth options, particularly for officers in rural areas, with a priority given to agencies employing two hundred or fewer sworn officers. All communications and records related to this program are to remain confidential and privileged, meaning they cannot be disclosed to anyone not directly involved in the support session, and the DPS is authorized to accept various forms of funding, including federal monies and grants, to support these initiatives. The bill also appropriates $15,000,000 from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the DPS for this program, with $5,000,000 specifically designated for agencies with two hundred or fewer officers, and requires an annual report to the Governor and legislative leaders detailing program participation and recommendations for improvement, all with the legislative intent to enhance public safety, reduce officer burnout and suicide, and improve recruitment and retention while maintaining officer privacy and fiscal responsibility.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/85662