June 17, 2026
Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mr. Hawley, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. King, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Coons, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Bennet, and Mrs. Shaheen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish an EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Lifeline for First Responders Act
.
Sec. 2. EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program
(a) In general
Chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 408 the following:
409. EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program
(a) Establishment
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (referred to in this section as the Secretary), shall establish a grant program, to be known as the
EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program(referred to in this section as the program), to support first responder mental health, stress reduction, family services, and suicide prevention.(b) Placement
The program shall be carried out through the Office of Emergency Medical Services of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(c) Eligible entities
An entity eligible to receive a grant under the program is—
(1)
a Federal, State, Tribal, or local fire service that supplies emergency medical services;
(2)
an EMS agency; and
(3)
a dispatch center.
(d) Authorized uses
A grant provided under the program may be used for—
(1)
evidence-based stress reduction and mental health services;
(2)
suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention services;
(3)
confidential counseling, peer support, and behavioral health services;
(4)
family support services for spouses and children; and
(5)
outreach, stigma reduction, education, training, and technical assistance.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2028 through 2032.
(b) Clerical amendment
The analysis for chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 408 the following: