Senate orders third reading of bill to create mental health response guidelines for first responders

Senator from Chittenden Southeast presented S 189, describing it as a bill to establish mental health response service guidelines for first responders, volunteers and firefighters. The sponsor emphasized training gaps and cited low completion rates for multi-hour courses as part of the rationale.

The bill asks the Department of Mental Health, Department of Health, Department of Public Safety and other stakeholders to develop guidance that can be shared broadly to help responders distinguish mental-health crises (for example, psychosis or substance-related incidents) and to provide de-escalation information. Section 2 of the bill requests recommendations focused on preventing violence against social workers, following recent attacks noted by the sponsor.

The sponsor listed multiple witnesses and agency contributors heard in committee, including Kristen Chandler, Nicole DiStasio (Department of Mental Health), Will Moran (Director of Emergency Preparedness, Department of Health), and representatives of the Vermont Criminal Justice Council and social-work organizations.

Senators questioned whether community-based and Department for Children and Families (DCF) social workers were included; the presenter said DCF testimony had not been taken but that the committee could accept an amendment prior to third reading to clarify scope. The Senate adopted committee amendments and ordered a third reading.

Next steps: The bill was amended on the floor and a third reading was ordered; committee follow-ups to clarify inclusion of particular social-work populations were left as possible amendments before final passage.