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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Joseph Brennan |
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House passes bill to protect emergency responders
HARRISBURG, June 30 – State Rep. Joe Brennan, D-Lehigh/Northampton, said that language he authored was included in a bill to protect the delicate information transmitted between law enforcement officers coping with emotional stress and people trained in crisis response that passed the state House last week.
Brennan said the legislation, H.B. 1332, also includes language he authored to protect fire fighters and emergency responders, as well.
"No matter the training, firefighters and emergency responders – in addition to police officers – can't be prepared for these traumatic events," Brennan said. "Putting together a crisis management procedure can help our emergency service workers better manage and cope with the stress."
Brennan said Critical Incident Stress Management teams are deployed across the Commonwealth to provide consultation, risk assessment, referral and on-site crisis intervention services to law enforcement officers following incidents claiming their colleagues' lives or involving the use of deadly force.
The bill would prohibit CISM team members, also law enforcement officers but specially trained to speak with their peers, from disclosing information they receive in legal proceedings, trials or investigations. The team members generally do not share the information, but Brennan said this bill would protect them from unmerited requests.
The legislation would include several exceptions to the confidentiality of the information exchanged, such as: the information indicates a clear and present danger to the law enforcement officer receiving services or other people; a law enforcement officer gives express consent to the testimony or voluntarily testifies; or the officer is deceased and the surviving spouse or estate administrator gives consent.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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