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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
Senate: PS DP 7-0-0-0 | Third Read 27-0-3-0-0 |
SB 1216: traumatic event counseling
Sponsor: Senator Payne, LD 27
Committee on Public Safety & Law Enforcement
Overview
Repeals the delayed repeal date of programs offering traumatic event counseling for public safety employees, peace officers, firefighters and 911 dispatchers. Adds that crime scene and digital forensics technicians can also receive traumatic event counseling.
History
In Arizona, up to 12 traumatic event counseling sessions are granted to any public safety employee, peace officer, firefighter or 911 dispatcher that is exposed to one of the following events while in the course of duty: 1) Visually or audibly witnessing the death or maiming of a human being; 2) responding to a criminal investigation of an offense involving a dangerous crime against children; or 3) requiring rescue in the line of duty where one's life was endangered. Three other specified events qualify peace officers, firefighters and 911 dispatchers for traumatic event counseling, relating to traumatic events that occur while in the line of duty (A.R.S. §§ 38-672; 38-673).
This form of traumatic event counseling is administered through programs established by the State and its political subdivisions and is paid for by the employers of public safety employees, peace officers, firefighters and 911 dispatchers (A.R.S. §§ 38-672; 38-673).
Laws 2016, Chapter 240 and Laws 2018, Chapter 259, amended by Laws 2022, Chapter 377, established the requirement for employers to grant traumatic event counseling with a delayed repeal date of January 1, 2027.
Public safety employee is currently defined as an individual who is a: 1) member of the public safety personnel retirement system or the corrections officer retirement plan; 2) probation, surveillance or juvenile detention officer employed by this state or a political subdivision of this state; or 3) 911 dispatcher in a primary or secondary public safety answering point. This definition does not include peace officers or firefighters (A.R.S. § 38-672).
Provisions
1. Includes crime scene technicians and digital forensics technicians within the definition of public safety employee, allowing them to receive traumatic event counseling. (Sec. 1)
2. Repeals session laws relating to the delayed repeal of traumatic event counseling for public safety employees, peace officers, firefighters and 911 dispatchers. (Sec. 2)
3. Makes conforming changes. (Sec. 1)
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7. Initials NM/AI SB 1216
8. 3/11/2026 Page 0 Public Safety & Law Enforcement
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