Bill · H.R. 6601· House(119-HR-6601)
CARE for First Responders Act
- Introduced
- 12/10/2025
- Last activity
- 2/2/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Sponsored by
- Jill Tokuda
- Cosponsors
- - 16 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The CARE for First Responders Act aims to increase access to mental health, substance use, and counseling services for qualified emergency response providers. It mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a comprehensive program including 24-hour care and a confidential, toll-free hotline via the 988 Lifeline. The bill also establishes a peer support counseling program utilizing active and retired providers. Additionally, the act provides for competitive grants to establish mobile units for short-term crisis services during major disasters. Research into best practices for preventing suicide among responders is also required.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+8
The bill establishes a comprehensive 24-hour mental health program and a dedicated 988 lifeline specifically for first responders.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+3
The bill utilizes retired emergency responders as peer counselors to support others in the field.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+3
The bill includes a peer support counseling program that allows retired emergency response providers to assist others.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Mental Health Access: The bill establishes a comprehensive program to provide mental health care to qualified emergency response providers on a 24-hour basis (Section 3, subsection a, 1).
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Immediate Crisis Support: A confidential and toll-free hotline operated through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline will be available at all times for qualified emergency response providers (Section 3, subsection a, 2).
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Family Support and Education: Education programs will help families understand issues related to the transition of responders back into family life and regular work, as well as how to identify signs and symptoms of mental illness (Section 3, subsection c, 3).
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Peer Connection: A peer support counseling program allows active and retired qualified emergency response providers to volunteer to assist others with mental health, readiness, and readjustment (Section 3, subsection d, 1).
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Mobile Crisis Intervention: Competitive grants will allow for the creation of mobile units to provide integrated, short-term crisis services, such as on-site screening, evaluation, and crisis management, specifically during major disasters (Section 3, subsection 520P, a and b).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+8
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+3Good For Urban Residents+1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security+1
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/19/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/9/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/2/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/18/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 12/10/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Doug LaMalfaRepublican · California
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Jared MoskowitzDemocrat · Florida
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Derek TranDemocrat · California
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey