Senate passes bill creating peer-support program for first responders, modeled on Dwyer program

The New York State Senate on June 3 approved legislation to create a peer-support mental health program for first responders, modeled on the Joseph P. Dwyer veterans peer-to-peer program.

Senator John Harcombe, the bill’s sponsor, told the chamber that first responders — paid and volunteer — are exposed to traumatic events and often lack confidential, peer-based pathways to care. “They have higher rates of depression, higher rates of anxiety, higher rates of suicidal ideation,” Harcombe said. He told colleagues, “With this bill, we will be saying to our first responders, we have your back and you can put that weight down.”

Multiple senators from both parties praised the proposal. Senator Overacker, a longtime volunteer first responder, said the bill addresses a gap he described from his own experience: “When we got back to the department that night, there was no talking. There was no, discussion. There was no debriefing … You basically buried it and, put up with it.” Senator Kenznerie Fitzpatrick, a cosponsor, described high suicide rates among police officers and said the bill is “a great start.”

The legislation was described on the floor as patterned after the Dwyer program for veterans and would provide confidentiality and peer-based support for first responders encountering trauma. Sponsors said it authorizes support that complements — but does not replace — professional care.

The roll call showed unanimous support on the floor; the clerk announced “Ayes, 58” and later “The bill is passed.” Senators emphasized implementation details — confidentiality protections and program design — will be important for effectiveness.

The bill’s text, as presented on the floor (senate print 54 07 a, calendar item listed by title on the record), specifies the program structure and an implementation timetable; senators and stakeholders will monitor program rollout and confidentiality safeguards.