Bill · S. 4819· Senate(119-S-4819)
Lifeline for First Responders Act
- Introduced
- 6/17/2026
- Last activity
- 6/17/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Sheldon Whitehouse
- Cosponsors
- - 8 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Lifeline for First Responders Act. It requires the Secretary of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to set up a new grant program called the EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program. The program is meant to support first responder mental health, stress reduction, family services, and suicide prevention. Eligible entities that can receive these grants include fire services that supply emergency medical services, EMS agencies, and dispatch centers. The grants can be used for things like confidential counseling, peer support, stress reduction, and suicide prevention services. The bill authorizes $7,500,000 to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2028 through 2032 to run the program.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+8
Provides funding for evidence-based stress reduction and mental health services for first responders.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+5
Increases access to behavioral health and suicide prevention services for a specific professional group.
Would children be better off under this?+3
Provides family support services for the children of first responders.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
Authorizes new government spending of $7.5 million annually from 2028-2032.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
Creates a new grant program requiring federal appropriations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2(a), which adds Section 409(a) to title 23, establishes the EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program. This could benefit first responders because it specifically supports their mental health, stress reduction, family services, and suicide prevention.
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Section 2(a), which adds Section 409(c), lists eligible entities for the grants as fire services that supply emergency medical services, EMS agencies, and dispatch centers. This is a positive outcome because it directly targets the organizations that employ or house these frontline workers.
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Section 2(a), which adds Section 409(d), outlines authorized uses for the grants, such as evidence-based stress reduction, mental health services, suicide prevention, and confidential counseling. This is beneficial to individuals because it provides practical resources and family support services for their spouses and children.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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+8Improves Healthcare Access+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+3Good For Native Americans+2
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1Reduces National Debt-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 9/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/17/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Josh HawleyRepublican · Missouri
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire