Georgia aims to extend peer counseling to all public safety officers

A bill expanding public safety officers' access to counseling unanimously cleared the Georgia Senate on Tuesday.

The state-run program would use peer counseling to address the emotional needs of those working in fields ranging from state Department of Transportation road workers to police officers and prison guards.

Since 2005, the state has had a program that trained law enforcement officers to talk to their peers through emotionally difficult times.

House Bill 703, sponsored by former head of the Georgia State Patrol and state Rep. Bill Hitchens, R-Rincon, would extend that service to first responders at all levels of government.

Senators made small changes to the legislation, so it will be considered again by the House before it can head to Gov. Nathan Deal for his approval.

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