North Carolina legislation · 2025-2026 Session
North Carolina S838: The Frontline Mental Health Support Act.
Status: In committee, April 28, 2026
What the bill says
An act to establish the frontline mental health support program to provide confidential mental health service for teachers and first responders and to appropriate funds to expand the behavioral health workforce.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE FRONTLINE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CONFIDENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE FOR TEACHERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO EXPAND THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Frontline Mental Health Support Act." SECTION 2. The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS), shall establish the Frontline Mental Health Support Program (the program) to provide confidential mental health services to eligible public servants who experience occupational stress and trauma in the course of their duties. The program shall provide access to licensed behavioral health professionals and shall prioritize trauma-informed care. SECTION 3. The following individuals who are employed full-time in North Carolina shall be eligible to participate in the program: (1) Sworn law enforcement officers. (2) Firefighters. (3) Emergency medical technicians and paramedics. (4) Public safety telecommunicators, including 911 dispatchers. (5) Correctional officers employed by the Department of Adult Correction or local detention facilities. (6) Public school teachers. SECTION 4. Participants in the program may receive up to 12 mental health counseling sessions per calendar year, conducted either in person or through telehealth, with an eligible licensed behavioral health professional, including all …
Sponsors
- Theodros, Caleb (D, 41) · primary sponsor
- Mayfield, Julie (D, 49) · primary sponsor
- Bradley, Woodson (D, 42) · primary sponsor
- Adcock, Gale (D, 16)
- Chitlik, Sophia (D, 22)
- Garrett, Michael (D, 27)
- Garson, Jonah (D, 23)
- Murdock, Natalie S. (D, 20)
- Salvador, DeAndrea (D, 39)
- Smith, Kandie D. (D, 5)
- Waddell, Joyce (D, 40)
Latest actions
- : Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
- : Withdrawn From Com
- : Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
- : Passed 1st Reading
- : Filed
Subjects: HOSPITALS, INFRASTRUCTURE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, BUDGETING, EDUCATION, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, MENTAL HEALTH
Common questions
- What is S838?
- S838 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): The Frontline Mental Health Support Act.
- What does S838 do?
- In its own words: An act to establish the frontline mental health support program to provide confidential mental health service for teachers and first responders and to appropriate funds to expand the behavioral health workforce.
- What is the status of S838?
- In committee as of April 28, 2026. Latest action: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate (April 28, 2026).
- Who sponsored S838?
- Theodros, Caleb (D, 41), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S838?
- On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S838
Source: official North Carolina record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.