Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the First Responder Peer Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances bill protecting confidentiality for firefighter and EMS peer support teams
Summary
House Bill 74 would authorize confidential peer-support services for firefighters and EMS providers, limit related liability for peer supporters and establish training overseen by the State Fire Marshal. The committee gave the bill a due pass with no recorded opposition.
The House Health & Human Services Committee voted to give House Bill 74 a due pass after hearing testimony from firefighters, union leaders and advocates who described gaps in behavioral health supports for emergency responders.
Sponsor Representative Thompson said the bill would authorize peer support services for firefighters and emergency medical services providers, create confidentiality protections for peer supporters and limit civil liability so peer supporters can operate without fear of litigation. The bill requires the State Fire Marshal to adopt training standards and a curriculum for peer supporters.
Miguel Tippman, president of IAFF Local 244 and vice president of the New Mexico Professional Firefighters Association, told the committee that peer support protects first responders from cumulative, work-related traumatic stress and said departments currently lack a consistent statewide framework. Tippman and other witnesses cited recent events, including a firefighter suicide in Santa Fe, and described peer teams from Albuquerque being deployed to assist local departments.
Multiple municipal and labor witnesses — including representatives from Albuquerque Fire Rescue, the New Mexico Federation of Labor and the State Fire Marshal’s Office — testified in support. NAMI New Mexico and local retired chiefs also urged passage, saying the measure would expand access and encourage other agencies to form teams.
Representative Sena Cortez offered a friendly recommendation urging certification for peer support workers tied to Medicaid-billable certified peer support roles; the committee discussed certification and reimbursement pathways but took no amendment on the floor. Members of the committee commended Albuquerque’s existing peer support program and sought assurances that volunteers and small departments would be able to participate.
Representative Eleanor Chavez moved the motion for a due pass, Representative Nicole Chavez seconded; the committee recorded no opposition and the chair announced a due pass.
The bill includes training requirements and grants the State Fire Marshal oversight of curriculum; fiscal appropriations were not included this session and testimony noted the bill carries no mandatory appropriation.
