(405 ILCS 135/15)

Sec. 15. First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program.

(a) Subject to appropriation, there is created within the Department of Human Services a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program to provide grants to the following recipients:

(1) units of local government;

(2) law enforcement agencies;

(3) fire protection districts;

(4) school districts;

(5) public or private hospitals; or

(6) ambulance services that employ first responders.

(b) The First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Fund is hereby created as a special fund in the State treasury. Moneys in the First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Fund shall be used by the Secretary of Human Services to make grants to eligible recipients as provided in subsection (a).

(c) Recipients eligible for grants under this Section shall use the grants for expenses related to behavioral health care services for first responders, including, but not limited to, telehealth services. An employer may not reduce behavioral health care provided through a first responder's employee benefit package as a result of the receipt of grant funds under this Act.

(d) All records, notes, and conclusions by a treatment provider providing behavioral health care to first responders whose employers receive grants under this Act shall not be shared with the employer unless otherwise mandated by law.

(e) Applicants seeking grants under this Act shall apply to the Department in a form and manner prescribed by the Department.

(f) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement this Act.

(Source: P.A. 102-911, eff. 1-1-23.)