HERO Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1902

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-06: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.

Last Updated

2026-04-24T08:06:58Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The HERO Act aims to address mental health challenges faced by public safety officers by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enhance data collection, prevention strategies, and treatment options for issues like suicide and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It focuses on improving support for these workers through better information, training, and resources.

Key Provisions

• National Data System for Suicide Incidence (Section 2):

Establishes the Public Safety Officer Suicide Reporting System to collect and analyze data on suicides among public safety officers. This includes annual totals, rates broken down by age, gender, state, occupation, volunteer/career status, and active/retired status. The system integrates with the existing National Violent Death Reporting System if compatible. HHS must consult experts (e.g., public health specialists, mental health professionals, and officer representatives) for sensitive, anonymous data collection. Annual reports to Congress are required starting two years after enactment, covering trends, risk factors, intervention options, and privacy measures. Data cannot be used to deny benefits like life insurance to survivors.

• Grants for Peer-Support Programs in Fire and EMS Agencies (Section 3):

Provides grants to nonprofit organizations experienced in fire and emergency medical services (EMS) health to create or expand peer-support programs. These programs train career and volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel to act as peer counselors, purchase training materials, and share resources. A technical correction is made to prior law for clarity.

• Grants for Behavioral Health Programs for Health Care Providers (Section 4):

Awards grants to hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and other facilities to establish or improve wellness programs. These include confidential counseling for handling traumatic events, peer counselor training for providers, and related materials dissemination.

• Educational Resources for Mental Health Professionals (Section 5):

Directs the U.S. Fire Administration (in consultation with HHS) to create publicly available resources educating mental health experts on the unique culture, stressors, retirement challenges, and evidence-based treatments for firefighters and EMS personnel (including volunteers, career staff, and chief officers). Consultation with national fire and EMS organizations is required.

• Best Practices for PTSD and Related Disorders (Section 6):

Requires HHS to develop, update, and share evidence-based guidelines and resources for identifying, preventing, and treating PTSD and co-occurring mental health issues in public safety officers. This draws from suicide data reports and involves input from experts and national organizations. The resources must be distributed to fire, law enforcement, and EMS agencies, and incorporated into federal training programs.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends the Public Health Service Act by adding new sections (317W, 320C, and 320D) to create the suicide reporting system and grant programs for peer support and provider wellness.
• Includes a minor technical fix to the Children's Health Act of 2000 to correctly reference the Public Health Service Act.
• Expands definitions of "public safety officer" to include telecommunicators (e.g., 911 dispatchers) and clarifies coverage for volunteers, paid-on-call, and career staff across federal, state, tribal, and local levels.
• Introduces strict privacy safeguards and prohibitions on using suicide data for benefit denials, building on existing federal privacy laws like those under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects health information).

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will gain new responsibilities for data systems, reporting, and resource development, potentially increasing administrative workload and funding needs. The U.S. Fire Administration will collaborate on education efforts. This could lead to better-coordinated federal support for mental health in public safety.
• On Citizens: Public safety officers (e.g., police, firefighters, EMS workers, dispatchers) and health care providers may access improved confidential support, training, and treatments, potentially reducing suicide rates and PTSD prevalence. Families benefit from protected data use. Broader public safety could improve as healthier officers perform duties more effectively.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill is domestic-focused on U.S. public safety personnel.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Public Safety Officers: Primary beneficiaries, including active/retired police, firefighters, EMS personnel, volunteers, and telecommunicators, who gain better mental health resources and stigma-reducing programs.
• Agencies and Organizations: Fire departments, EMS agencies, law enforcement, hospitals, and nonprofits receive grants and tools; national groups (e.g., police/fire associations) provide input.
• Mental Health Professionals and Providers: Trained via new resources and peer programs to better serve these groups.
• Federal Entities: HHS, CDC, and U.S. Fire Administration handle implementation and reporting.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens data privacy by mandating federal protections (e.g., anonymity to prevent benefit denials), aligning with existing laws like the Privacy Act without creating new enforcement mechanisms. No conflicts with constitutional rights apparent, as it emphasizes voluntary, confidential support.
• Constitutional: Supports free speech and privacy interests by prohibiting misuse of sensitive health data, potentially reducing barriers to seeking help under the First and Fourth Amendments.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (119th Congress, introduced March 6, 2025) signals broad support for first responders' welfare; referred to Energy and Commerce and Science, Space, and Technology committees for review. Could influence future funding debates on public health and emergency services.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]

Cosponsors (36)

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-06: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
• 2025-03-06: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
• 2025-03-06: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-06: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Act — issued 2025-03-06 — PDF (14 pages)