CARE for First Responders Act

Bill Number: H.R. 6601
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Last Updated: 2026-04-16T08:07:13Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The CARE for First Responders Act aims to expand mental health, substance use, and counseling support specifically for first responders, including those responding to major disasters. It focuses on providing timely, tailored services to address trauma, reduce stigma, and prevent issues like suicide among these workers.

Key Provisions

Amendments to the Stafford Disaster Relief Act: Expands crisis counseling services to include "qualified emergency response providers" (first responders like firefighters, police, EMTs, and public safety telecommunicators who handle emergency calls) during major disasters, in addition to disaster victims.
Comprehensive Mental Health Program (Section 520O of the Public Health Service Act):
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to create a program within 2 years offering 24/7 mental health care.
Establishes a confidential, toll-free hotline integrated into the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, staffed by trained mental health professionals.
Includes outreach and education for first responders and their families, prioritizing those in major disasters; education covers stigma reduction, coping skills, recognizing mental health signs, and family support during post-disaster transitions.
Funds research on best practices for mental health services and suicide prevention, in collaboration with agencies like DHS, FEMA, US Fire Administration, NIMH, CDC, and DOJ.
Creates a peer support counseling program using trained volunteers (active and retired first responders) for mental health assistance and outreach, coordinated with community groups, governments, and mental health organizations.
Allows additional actions to reduce mental illness and suicide rates.
Grants for On-Site Mental Health Services (Section 520P):
Awards competitive grants up to $150,000 to eligible entities (state/local/Tribal health departments, community health centers, rural clinics, or nonprofits experienced in mental health services) to set up mobile units providing short-term crisis care in major disaster areas.
Services must be culturally and linguistically appropriate, trauma-informed (focused on understanding trauma's effects), and include disaster behavioral interventions like triage, screening, crisis management, referrals, planning, and resilience training.
Grants last at least 6 months, renewable up to 2 years total; HHS can purchase/lease equipment, including data systems.
Requires evaluations of grant activities, technical assistance for recipients, and identification of best practices for care coordination.
Authorizes $5 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5183(a)): Broadens crisis counseling from victims only to include first responders and telecommunicators, adding definitions for these groups.
Public Health Service Act: Inserts new sections (520O and 520P) to create dedicated programs and grants, building on existing mental health frameworks like the 988 Lifeline, without altering core structures but adding first-responder-specific mandates.
Introduces formal definitions for "public safety telecommunicator" (based on occupational codes for 911 dispatchers) and "qualified emergency response providers" (linking to Homeland Security Act definitions).

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: HHS and SAMHSA gain new responsibilities for program development, research, grants, and coordination, potentially increasing workloads and budgets. FEMA, DHS, and other listed agencies must collaborate on research, which could enhance inter-agency disaster response but require resource allocation.
Citizens: First responders and their families benefit from improved access to confidential, specialized care, potentially leading to better mental health outcomes, reduced suicide rates, and smoother post-disaster recovery. Broader public safety could improve as healthier responders handle emergencies more effectively.
International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill is domestically focused on U.S. disaster response and health services.

Main Stakeholders Affected

First Responders and Telecommunicators: Primary beneficiaries, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs, and 911 operators, especially those in major disasters.
Families of First Responders: Gain education and support for understanding and addressing mental health challenges.
Health and Government Entities: HHS, SAMHSA, state/local/Tribal health departments, nonprofits, community health centers, and collaborating federal agencies (e.g., FEMA, CDC).
Communities in Disaster Areas: Indirectly affected through enhanced responder support, potentially leading to more resilient local emergency systems.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens federal support for mental health under disaster laws without creating new entitlements; grants emphasize evidence-based, voluntary services, respecting privacy (e.g., confidential hotline). No challenges to state licensing for mental health professionals.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over interstate commerce and disaster relief (e.g., via Spending Clause for grants); promotes equal access without discriminating, supporting general welfare.
Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support for first responders (introduced by a diverse group of representatives), potentially boosting morale and addressing a recognized gap in post-trauma care. Could influence future funding debates on mental health amid rising disaster frequency due to climate events, but requires appropriations to take effect.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

Cosponsors (18)

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

Recent Actions

2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
2025-12-10: 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.
2025-12-10: 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.
2025-12-10: Introduced in House
2025-12-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Crisis Assistance and Resources in Emergencies for First Responders Act — issued 2025-12-10 — PDF (13 pages)