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HB 1505

TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC EMPLOYER TO OFFER AND PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR LICENSED COUNSELING FOR A PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED A TRAUMATIC EVENT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sonia Barker and 7 co-sponsors

Act 398 mandates Arkansas public employers to provide up to 12 licensed counseling visits annually for public safety employees after traumatic events, enhancing mental health support.

Notification that HB1505 is now Act 398
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Bill Summary · HB 1505

Summary of House Bill 1505 (Act 398)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1505, now known as Act 398, aims to ensure that public safety employees in Arkansas receive necessary mental health support following traumatic events encountered in the line of duty. The bill mandates public employers to provide coverage for licensed counseling services, addressing a critical gap left by the expiration of previous legislation.

Key Provisions

  • Coverage Requirement: Public employers are required to offer and provide coverage for licensed counseling for public safety employees who have experienced a traumatic event. This includes:

    • Up to 12 licensed counseling visits per calendar year for each employee who experiences a traumatic event.
    • The ability to carry over unused visits to the following year, with a maximum of 18 visits allowed in a single calendar year.
    • Counseling services can be provided through telehealth options.

  • Definition of Terms:

    • Public Safety Employee: Includes firefighters, police officers, probation officers, and detention officers.
    • Traumatic Event: Defined as exposure to serious injury, death, abuse, or an immediate threat to life while performing official duties.

  • Financial Responsibility: Public employers must cover all costs associated with the licensed counseling, including any deductibles as per the employee’s health benefit plan.

  • Selection of Counselors: Employees have the right to choose their licensed mental health professional, although employers are not required to secure services from a professional who declines to provide counseling.

Impact

This legislation directly affects public safety employees in Arkansas, providing them with essential mental health resources to cope with the psychological impacts of their work. By ensuring access to licensed counseling, the bill aims to enhance the overall well-being of these employees, which is crucial for maintaining public safety and health.

Emergency Clause

The bill includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon approval by the Governor or if not vetoed within the standard timeframe. This urgency is justified by the need to restore mental health support for public safety employees, which had lapsed with the expiration of prior legislation.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: February 17, 2025
  • Passed: March 19, 2025
  • Enrolled and Transmitted to Governor: March 20, 2025
  • Notification of Act 398: March 25, 2025

This summary provides an overview of HB 1505, highlighting its significance in supporting the mental health of public safety employees in Arkansas.

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

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