Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program. The Program is intended to provide a comprehensive approach to the mental health and wellness of Department law enforcement officers and agents. It tasks the Secretary with establishing policies, conducting research on mental health and suicide trends, and promoting education and training. The bill also establishes a Peer-to-Peer Support Program Advisory Council to evaluate and sustain peer support services. Additionally, it requires Department components to improve mental health resources and provides support for the families of officers.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill establishes a comprehensive Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program to provide mental health resources and counseling for Department officers.
- Scored +5
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill involves coordination with employees' exclusive representatives regarding mental health and wellness programs.
- Scored +5
Does this strengthen Social Security?
The bill provides resiliency support and training for the families of officers and surviving families of those lost to suicide.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Mental Health Support for Officers: The establishment of the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program provides a comprehensive approach to the mental health and wellness of Department law enforcement officers and agents (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(i)).
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Increased Awareness and Education: The program promotes education and training related to mental health, resilience, suicide prevention, and stigma to raise awareness and support various personnel (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(v)).
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Peer Support Networks: The creation of a Peer-to-Peer Support Program Advisory Council enables the sharing of trained personnel, such as chaplains and peer support members, across Department components (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(vi)).
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Support for Families: The bill assists Department components in developing programs to provide suicide prevention, resiliency support, and training for the families of law enforcement officers and agents, as well as surviving families (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(vii)).
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Protection Against Retaliation: The bill directs Department components to ensure programs include safeguards against adverse or disciplinary action, such as retaliation or automatic fitness for duty examinations, for officers who self-identify a need for counseling (Section 2(d)(5)).
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Improved Access to Counseling: It requires components to offer various avenues for seeking assistance, including access to external mental health clinicians and service animals (Section 2(d)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Privacy Concerns regarding Data Collection: While the bill includes confidentiality requirements, it involves the collection of data regarding mental health and suicides of officers and agents (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(ii)).
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Staffing and Resource Dependencies: The staffing of the Program is subject to appropriations, which may impact the number of employees the Chief Medical Officer can determine necessary (Section 2(a)(1)(D)(ii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill involves coordination with employees' exclusive representatives regarding mental health and wellness programs. Would men be better off under this? — The bill provides critical mental health and suicide prevention resources for male-dominated law enforcement populations.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill establishes a comprehensive Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program to provide mental health resources and counseling for Department officers.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill provides resiliency support and training for the families of officers and surviving families of those lost to suicide.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill includes protections against retaliation and automatic fitness for duty examinations for officers seeking mental health assistance.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires annual briefings to relevant Congressional committees regarding the implementation of the program.
- 12/11/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
- 12/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Andrew GarbarinoRepublican · New York