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H 2653

An Act relative to the well-being of law enforcement officers after involvement in a critical incident

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Badger and 8 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill requires police departments to provide mandatory mental health counseling and peer support for officers after traumatic critical incidents to improve wellbeing and reduce occupational injury.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 2653

Legislative bill overview

H 2653 establishes mental health and wellness support requirements for law enforcement officers following critical incidents such as officer-involved shootings, in-custody deaths, or other traumatic events. The bill mandates access to psychological evaluation, counseling, and peer support services as part of post-incident protocols.

Why is this important

Law enforcement officers experience high rates of PTSD, depression, and suicide—with suicide being a leading cause of officer deaths. Mandatory wellness support after critical incidents can reduce long-term psychological harm and help officers return to duty more safely. This addresses a significant occupational health gap that affects both individual officers and public safety outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope definition: Disagreement over which incidents qualify as "critical" and therefore trigger mandatory support requirements
  • Cost and implementation: Questions about funding, which departments bear costs, and whether all agencies have adequate mental health resources to comply
  • Confidentiality and employment concerns: Officers may worry that mandatory psychological evaluations could be used against them in disciplinary actions or affect their employment status, despite protections
  • Voluntary vs. mandatory: Debate over whether support should be mandated or offered as an option, affecting officer autonomy

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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