NJ A5792

Employers of first responders must provide up to 12 hours of paid confidential counseling with a mental health professional following a critical incident, with costs covered under workers' compensation

If a mental health professional determines additional counseling would benefit the first responder, employers must pay for up to 24 additional hours of counseling, all sessions to be completed within one year of the first visit

First responders cannot be required to use accrued leave for counseling sessions that occur during work hours, and they may select their own mental health professional

"Critical incident" is defined to include events such as weapon firing, death or injury of a minor, terrorist acts, hostage situations, death of a fellow first responder, or witnessing death or maiming

Communications between law enforcement officers and resiliency program officers or peer support team members regarding mental health support are confidential, except when the officer poses a risk to themselves or others or has committed a crime