Committee hears bill to shield peer-support talks for public safety personnel from court review

House Committee on Judiciary members on March 25 heard public testimony on House Bill 3,929, which would bar examination in civil or criminal court of communications made by public-safety peer-support recipients to designated peer supporters under specified conditions.

Proponents said the confidentiality the bill would create is essential to getting first responders to use peer-support services. "House Bill 3,929 is a crucial step toward providing that level of healing that is needed," Representative Rick Lewis said. "It provides the confidentiality piece that is critical for dealing with trauma, whether on the job or in personal relationships, to allow healing."

The bill, as described to the committee, applies when: the recipient communicated while receiving peer-support services in an official capacity; the peer supporter acted in an official capacity and had been designated in advance by a public-safety agency; the peer…