The new bill authored by U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam in the U.S. House aims to strengthen behavioral health programs for law enforcement officers and first responders nationwide, according to the U.S. Congress.
H.R.8493 was introduced on April 23, 2026 during the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress. The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an interagency working group tasked with reviewing and improving peer-to-peer behavioral health programs specifically for law enforcement officers and first responders. The group will evaluate best practices, focusing on unique occupational needs, confidentiality measures, training standards for peer supporters, and integration with licensed mental health professionals. It will include representatives from government agencies, law enforcement, first responders, and relevant nongovernmental organizations to ensure diverse perspectives. Within one year of enactment, the working group must publish a report detailing their findings and submit recommendations to Congress on enhancing mental health outcomes and potential funding opportunities for these programs. The working group will terminate one year after meeting its reporting requirements, although it may be reconvened if further recommendations are needed.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (Democrat-VA-10th District) and co-sponsored by Rep. Mark Alford (Republican-VA-4th District) and Rep. John H. Rutherford (Republican-VA-5th District).
Since the beginning of the current session, Rep. Subramanyam has introduced another 27 bills.
Congressional bills can originate in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, except for revenue-related measures, which must begin in the House. After introduction, bills are assigned to committees for review, hearings, amendments and debate before they can advance to a vote in each chamber. If both chambers approve identical versions, the legislation is sent to the president, who may sign it into law or veto it. Congress operates in two-year terms, with each term numbered sequentially and divided into two annual sessions. The legislative process and official bill records are maintained by the U.S. Congress and published through Congress.gov.
Suhas Subramanyam is a Representative from Virginia, having been elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress starting January 3, 2025. He previously served in the Virginia state house of delegates from 2020 to 2024 and is currently a member of the Virginia state senate.
He graduated with a B.A. from Tulane University in 2008 and earned a J.D. from Northwestern University in 2013. His political experience includes serving on staff for U.S. Representative Suzanne Kosmas, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the White House Office of the Chief Technology Officer.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| H.R.8493 | 04/23/2026 | Peer Support for Our First Responders Act of 2026 |
| H.R.8492 | 04/23/2026 | Public Safety UAS Readiness Act |
| H.R.8427 | 04/21/2026 | Congressional Pension Integrity Act of 2026 |
| H.R.8191 | 04/02/2026 | Immigration Status Notification and Transparency Act of 2026 |
| H.R.7968 | 03/17/2026 | Small AI Innovators Empowerment Act |
| H.R.7779 | 03/03/2026 | HEALTHY BRAINS Act of 2026 |
| H.R.7778 | 03/03/2026 | Medicaid PNA Modernization Act |
| H.R.7516 | 02/11/2026 | No Funds for Forced Labor Act |
| H.R.7193 | 01/21/2026 | Campaign and Election Accountability Act |
| H.R.6973 | 01/07/2026 | COURSE Credit Act |
| H.R.6542 | 12/09/2025 | First Home Savings Opportunity Act of 2025 |
| H.R.5892 | 10/31/2025 | Keep Main Street Open Act |
| H.R.5690 | 10/03/2025 | Emergency Relief for Federal Contractors Act of 2025 |
| H.R.5689 | 10/03/2025 | Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act |
| H.R.5560 | 09/23/2025 | Statutes of Limitation for Child Sexual Abuse Reform Act |
| H.R.5339 | 09/11/2025 | Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act |
| H.R.5058 | 08/26/2025 | To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 46164 Westlake Drive in Sterling, Virginia, as the “Firefighter Trevor Brown Post Office Building”. |
| H.R.5008 | 08/19/2025 | Affordable Commutes Act of 2025 |
| H.R.5007 | 08/19/2025 | To direct the Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to report on information about arrests made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. |
| H.R.4942 | 08/08/2025 | Quantum Encryption Readiness and Resilience Act |
| H.R.4738 | 07/23/2025 | Baby Safety Tax Relief Act |
| H.R.3470 | 05/15/2025 | AGRITOURISM Act |
| H.R.2470 | 03/27/2025 | COST of Relocations Act |
| H.R.2349 | 03/25/2025 | Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act |
| H.R.1545 | 02/24/2025 | Accountability in Government Efficiency Act |
| H.R.1544 | 02/24/2025 | LEASH DOGE Act |
| H.R.1352 | 02/13/2025 | To designate the General George C. Marshall House, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as an affiliated area of the National Park System, and for other purposes. |
| H.R.1273 | 02/12/2025 | Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act |
Information in this article was obtained from the U.S. Congress. The source data can be found here.
