Helping Heroes Act; create to provide support to first responders and public EMS personnel diagnosed with PTSD.

The Helping Heroes Act would provide mental health support to Mississippi law enforcement officers, firefighters, and public EMS personnel diagnosed with PTSD during their work duties. Eligible individuals could choose this benefit over workers' compensation, receiving reimbursement for mental health services and up to 30 days of paid time off annually, capped at $7,500 per person. Funding would come from $200,000 yearly (starting fiscal year 2026) in insurance premium tax revenue deposited into a dedicated "Helping Heroes Act Fund," with annual reporting on usage and impact. To qualify, individuals must have 10+ years of service and a diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional, excluding PTSD from personnel actions like transfers or terminations.