This bill amends the existing law regarding Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams by revising training requirements and clarifying the structure and responsibilities of these teams. Notably, the definition of a "critical incident stress management team" is expanded to indicate that such teams may or may not be affiliated with a municipality. The bill also removes the requirement for team members to sustain certification standards and instead mandates initial training based on guidelines established by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) or a similar organization approved by the commissioner of the department of safety.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions regarding the designation of team members, stating that they shall be appointed by the team leader or various officials, including police chiefs and fire chiefs. The team leader is defined as a person with strong communication and problem-solving skills, responsible for training team members, establishing strategies, and monitoring progress. This legislation aims to enhance the effectiveness of CISM teams in providing support to emergency response and public safety workers experiencing critical incidents or prolonged stress. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 153-A:17-a
As Amended by the House: 153-A:17-a