Group proposed to study mental health protections for first responders

Utah lawmakers are considering a bill that would create a workgroup to study mental health protections for first responders.

H.B. 25, first read on Wednesday, would create a group including state lawmakers, city and county officials, mental health experts and representatives from insurance companies.

The group would be tasked with reviewing and making recommendations on a number of issues, including “the alleviation of barriers, including financial barriers, to mental health treatment for first responders inside and outside of the workers compensation system, statutory requirements for compensability of mental stress claims from first responders, improving a first responder’s accessibility to mental health treatment,” and more.

The group would be asked to report to the legislature by Sept. 25, 2025.