E2SHB 2311 — Supporting first responder wellness and peer support.

What this bill does

Requires the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) to convene a task force on first responder wellness in the state. Requires the CJTC to contract with certain entities to develop a 40-hour training program for first responder peer support counselors, a cultural competency training for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) professionals, a first responder peer support network, and a directory of mental health and SUD professionals with specific competency, experience, and training. Requires the CJTC to establish and administer a grant program to provide funding for the implementation or expansion of first responder peer support counseling programs. Modifies certain statutory provisions related to peer support counseling, including by providing that a testimonial privilege applies to communications made by a peer support client to a peer support counselor regardless of whether the client is employed by the same agency as the counselor, providing that retired first responders may be counselors, and providing that counselors include persons with certain training in emotional and moral support. Amends the operating budget to provide that the $3,000,000 appropriated from the State General Fund in the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium for the CJTC to provide grants to local law enforcement for the purpose of establishing officer wellness programs is also appropriated for the CJTC to provide such grants to corrections agencies.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• House — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · February 10, 2024
  97 yea · 0 nay · 1 not voting
• Senate — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · March 1, 2024
  49 yea · 0 nay

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Other bills sponsored by Davis

• HB 1696 — Concerning stalking-related offenses.
• E2SHB 1715 — Enacting comprehensive protections for victims of domestic violence and other violence involving family members or intimate partners.
• 2SHB 2319 — Concerning substance use disorder treatment.
• 2SHB 2320 — Concerning high THC cannabis products.