34 U.S.C. § 50902 — Best practices and support

(a) Definitions.
(1) First responder. Has the same meaning as "public safety officer" in section 10284 of this title.
(2) First responder agency. A federal, state, local, or tribal agency that employs or uses a first responder's services.
(3) Peer support counseling program. A program a first responder agency runs, giving counseling from a peer support specialist to its first responders.
(4) Peer support participant. A first responder who gets counseling from a specialist.
(5) Peer support specialist. A first responder who (A) has been trained in peer support counseling and in giving emotional and moral support to first responders who went through or witnessed a traumatic work experience, and (B) is designated by a first responder agency to provide that service.

(b) Report on best practices. Within 2 years of November 18, 2021, the Attorney General, working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, must write a report on best practices and professional standards for peer support counseling programs at first responder agencies. It must include: (1) advice on (A) setting up and running these programs, and (B) training and certifying specialists; (2) a code of ethics for specialists; (3) recommendations for specialists' continuing education; (4) advice on telling first responders about participants' confidentiality rights; and (5) information on (A) the different types of these programs agencies use, (B) any differences in programs across types of first responders, and (C) the important role senior first responders play in helping others access mental health resources.

(c) Implementation. The Attorney General must support and encourage these programs at first responder agencies by (1) posting the report from (b) publicly on the Department of Justice website; and (2) posting a list of peer support specialist training programs on the Department of Justice website.