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Committee hears bill to protect confidentiality of first‑responder peer support; testimony prompts DORA changes, bill laid over
Summary
Representatives and witnesses testified in support of a bill to extend statutory confidentiality protections to peer support communications used by first responders and to clarify limited exceptions; the committee laid the bill over for action-only pending amendments with DORA.
Representative Armagost introduced legislation to extend clearer statutory confidentiality protections to peer supporters who provide informal, trained emotional support to first responders.
Sponsor and witnesses framed the bill as a worker‑safety and mental‑health measure. "No first responder should have to wait 3 months for help," Joanne Rupert, CEO of First Responder Trauma Counselors, testified, describing cases in which responders delayed seeking care because of fears their peer support conversations could be disclosed.
Proponents described peer support as a 40‑hour trained role that is culturally accepted within…
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