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Legislation Providing Peer Mental Health Support for Law Enforcement and First Responders Becomes Law
Anchorage, Alaska — Yesterday afternoon, Senate Bill 103 became law without the Governor’s signature. Sponsored by Senator Forrest Dunbar, D-Anchorage, this legislation showcases support for the mental health and well-being of Alaska's law enforcement officers and first responders by establishing a process for public safety officers to seek mental health counseling from trained peer counselors while ensuring their identity and communications remain confidential.
Under current law, public safety officers are often restricted in their ability to discuss the stressful and traumatic events they encounter due to the nature of their work, which is frequently intertwined with ongoing criminal investigations. Senate Bill 103 directly addresses this issue by providing a safe and confidential avenue for officers to process the emotional toll of their duties, thus helping to de-stigmatize mental health issues within the field of public safety.
“The men and women who protect our communities face unimaginable stress and trauma as part of their jobs. It is imperative that we offer them a safe space to discuss these challenges without fear of retribution or exposure,” said Sen. Dunbar. “This ensures that they have the support they need while maintaining the integrity of their roles and responsibilities.”
“Those who bear the burden of protecting our community deserve a safe and confidential avenue to discuss their experiences while on duty. SB 103 gives our public safety officers the assurance that this avenue exists,” said Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, sponsor of the House companion version, HB 15.
The legislation also empowers existing agencies to establish peer support counseling programs without imposing mandatory changes. Law enforcement agencies, emergency service providers, and the Department of Corrections now have the opportunity to designate an existing employee as a peer counselor, provided they have prior counseling training. This flexibility ensures that the program can be tailored to the unique needs of each agency while upholding the core principle of confidentiality.
Senate Bill 103 is a crucial step in providing emotional relief and a path to healing for Alaskans who bear the burden of protecting the public. The program is expected to improve the mental health outcomes of public safety officers and enhance the overall safety and well-being of the communities they serve.
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