Rep. McNamara's new law safeguarding mental health debriefings for public safety officials ceremonially signed by the governor

STATEHOUSE (July 2, 2025) – The governor recently ceremonially signed State Rep. Wendy McNamara's (R-Evansville) new law protecting critical incident stress management (CISM) services for first responders.

McNamara said CISM debriefings are an important mental health tool for public safety officials after facing a stressful or dangerous situation while on the job.

House Enrolled Act 1118 changes the Indiana code so any first responder using a CISM debriefing will not be compelled to disclose those conversations in a civil, criminal or administrative proceeding.

"Our police, firefighters, EMS providers and other first responders face danger day in and day out," McNamara said. "By protecting these mental health discussions, our first responders will be more empowered to care for themselves."

First responders face PTSD and depression at a rate five times higher than the civilian population, according to the Ruderman Family Foundation. To help them, Indiana has more than 40 CISM teams, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, comprised of trained peer volunteers who can offer care at the scene or counsel for responders afterwards.

McNamara said this change could incentivize first responders to use CISM debriefings, as they will not have to worry about disclosing private information.

To learn more about House Enrolled Act 1118 and other new laws, visit iga.in.gov.

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State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) represents House District 76, 
which includes all of Posey County and a portion of Vanderburgh County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

PHOTO CAPTION 1: State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) (right) joins Gov. Braun in the Statehouse on June 25, 2025, to ceremonially sign HEA 1118. This new law will protect critical incident stress management services, which first responders use to debrief after a stressful incident while on the job.

PHOTO CAPTION 2: State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) (right) meets with Evansville Police Department sergeants Mark Saltzman (second from right), Sam Sedoris (second from left) and Evansville licensed critical social worker Rachel Virgin (left) in Evansville on July 1, 2025, to celebrate the passage of HEA 1118. McNamara said these three individuals were instrumental in passing this legislation to support first responder mental health.