Sponsors (2)
The bill creates statutory recognition, programs, confidentiality protections, and coordination to address mental health and suicide among DHS law enforcement, but its real-world effectiveness hinges on future funding, strong privacy safeguards, and consistent implementation across DHS components.
DHS law enforcement officers and agents will get an established, evidence-based mental health program that provides training, peer support, and suicide-prevention resources.
DHS federal employees who seek counseling will have confidentiality protections and limits on adverse action, reducing stigma and legal exposure for those getting mental-health help.
Mandated coordination, dedicated staffing, and required annual briefings to senior DHS leadership create accountable program management and maintain leadership attention through FY2027.
Staffing, program expansion, and continuity depend on future appropriations, so intended services may be limited or delayed without sufficient funding.
Implementation across multiple DHS components could be uneven, producing variable access to services depending on component or field location.
Even with nondisclosure rules, confidential data collection creates some risk of inadvertent privacy breaches that could expose sensitive PII of employees.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a DHS Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program to provide policies, confidential data collection, peer-support advisory council, training, family support, and reporting.
Introduced August 1, 2025 by Gary C. Peters · Last progress August 1, 2025
Creates a DHS Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program run under the Department’s Chief Medical Officer to improve mental health, resiliency, and suicide prevention for DHS law enforcement officers and agents. The program will set policies and standard procedures, collect confidential data on mental health and suicides, evaluate component efforts, establish a peer-support advisory council, coordinate training and outreach, provide family and survivor support, and report to leadership on a set schedule. The Workplace Health and Wellness Coordinator will manage the program subject to staffing decisions by the Chief Medical Officer and available appropriations; the Chief Medical Officer must issue implementing guidance and provide an initial briefing within 180 days and annual briefings through FY2027. Participation and most data collection are voluntary and protected under federal privacy laws.