The COPS Counseling Act was driven by the suicide of an officer.
Frederick, Md. (NS) – Congress has passed the COPS Counseling Act that will create a system for first responders to get mental health care.
Congressman David Trone said this bill is needed because first responders feel they have little confidentiality with their mental health needs.
“We’ll begin to set up counseling programs for all of our first responders and the department of justice will set up what those programs’ best practices are. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” said Trone.
The bill aims to give first responders the mental health resources they need to do their job.
Trone recently did a ride-along in Frederick City Police’s Crisis Car.
“So the mental health crisis ride along pairs up a trained individual in mental health with a police officer and then we get the right response with an expert actually in the field right there on the street,” he said.
Trone said this bill will allow all first responders across the country to get the mental support they need to do their job.
The bill now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.