Confidentiality Opportunities for Peer Support Counseling Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the COPS Counseling Act and thank my friend from Maryland, Mr. Trone for leading this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, Every day police officers protect our communities with the uncommon character that's common in police departments. The men and women in blue proudly protect and serve, braving challenging circumstances and running toward danger to keep us safe. Both they and their families feel this stress. I know this firsthand as my father is a retire NYPD Detective.

As well, in the course of duty, police officers face dangerous and sometimes traumatic situations. Oftentimes, only a police officer can truly understand the stress their fellow officers are dealing with.

Peer counseling has proven to be an effective method for officers to cope with this stress, in fact 73 percent of officers say it's the most helpful mental health resource available to them. The COPS Counseling Act ensures more officers can access this important resource and protects officers' privacy, eliminating the stigma of seeking help. Police officers do a dangerous and necessary job to protect our communities. The COPS Counseling Act helps police officers help keep each other safe so they can keep us all safe. I urge a yes vote.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 1502, the COPS Counseling Act of 2021. I was also proud to cosponsor the House companion to this bill--H.R. 3070--introduced by Representatives David Trone of Maryland and Guy Reschenthaler of Pennsylvania.

This bipartisan and bicameral legislation would encourage the adoption of law enforcement peer counseling programs across the nation by requiring the U.S. Department of Justice to issue and make publicly available a report on best practices for such programs. To further support their implementation, the bill would also direct the Department to provide a list of training programs for individuals to become peer support mentors.

Our law enforcement officers often face challenging and at times traumatic experiences while performing their duties and keeping our communities safe. It's critical we ensure they have the necessary level of support to address these situations, and peer-to-peer counseling can serve as an effective mental health outlet to share their personal experiences; access and identify resources; and receive help and guidance within a trusted network of colleagues.

To ensure peer counseling programs are effective, it's also important we protect the privacy of those officers seeking mental health services. That's why I'm pleased the COPS Counseling Act would require that the information disclosed during peer support counseling sessions by Federal law enforcement officers is kept confidential, except under certain circumstances such as threats of physical harm and admission of criminal activity. This guarantee of privacy will go a long way in building confidence and encouraging more Federal law enforcement officers to take advantage of the opportunities provided through these programs.

Every day, our brave men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line to protect our communities. As Members of Congress, we must redouble our efforts to support them, including through mental health and counseling services. That's why I support the COPS Counseling Act and urge my colleagues to do the same.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source