H.R. 8776: Officer Wellness and Peer Support Act of 2026

The Officer Wellness and Peer Support Act of 2026 aims to improve mental health support for law enforcement officers by requiring a comprehensive report from the Attorney General within 270 days of the bill's enactment. The key provisions of the bill include:

Report Requirement

The Attorney General, working alongside various law enforcement and justice agencies, must submit a report that covers:

• Effective strategies and best practices: This includes methods to reduce stigma related to mental health among law enforcement officers and to encourage these officers to utilize available mental health resources.
• Confidentiality of services: Recommendations must ensure confidentiality in the mental health services provided to officers. This pertains to peer-to-peer counseling, critical incident stress debriefings, peer crisis lines, and employee assistance programs.
• Action recommendations: Suggestions on how to implement the identified strategies and best practices must be included.

Consultation Process

In preparing this report, the Attorney General and other directors mentioned must consult with:

• Various law enforcement agencies at federal, state, tribal, and local levels.
• Professional organizations related to law enforcement, alongside mental health and suicide prevention organizations, as well as labor and representative organizations.

Definition of Law Enforcement Officer

The bill defines a law enforcement officer as anyone involved in the control or reduction of crime and juvenile delinquency, or enforcement of criminal laws. This includes police officers, corrections officers, probation and parole officers, and judicial officers.

Overall Purpose

The overarching goal of the bill is to facilitate better mental health support for law enforcement personnel by reducing stigma and improving access to vital mental health services, ultimately promoting the well-being and effectiveness of these officers.

Relevant Companies

None found.