It’s no secret that serving in law enforcement, firefighting or other public safety fields can be incredibly stressful. Senate Bill 64 aims to lessen the mental health burdens of these careers through confidential, peer support counseling programs.
The bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, received unanimous approval Wednesday during a meeting of the Senate State and Local Government Committee. It now heads to the full Senate.
SB 64 would allow public agencies to create peer support counseling programs for public safety employees who have experienced traumatic events in their work. Central to the bill, however, are confidentially protections for those who participate in the programs.
