Senate Bill 174 Summary

• Establishes confidentiality protections for communications between first responders and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams that provide counseling after traumatic incidents.

• Defines "first responders" as law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services personnel, hazmat team members, and 911 dispatchers involved in critical incidents including deaths, serious injuries, child abuse investigations, and disasters.

• Prohibits disclosure of CISM counseling communications in legal proceedings, trials, or investigations unless the first responder consents or the confidentiality is waived.

• Creates exceptions to confidentiality when communications indicate imminent death or serious injury risk, the first responder consents to disclosure, the first responder is deceased and their spouse or estate executor waives privilege, or the services were sought to enable or aid in committing a crime or fraud.

• Specifies that information from independent sources remains discoverable in civil or criminal actions even if discussed during CISM services.