An act relating to confidentiality for peer support counseling among emergency service providers

This bill establishes legal confidentiality protections for peer support counseling sessions involving emergency service providers in Vermont, including firefighters, EMS personnel, law enforcement officers, and other first responders. It requires that communications made during these counseling sessions, including notes and records, remain private and cannot be disclosed or used as evidence in legal proceedings. The law applies to sessions conducted by trained counselors designated by employers to help providers cope with traumatic incidents related to their work. However, confidentiality does not cover information about threats of violence, child abuse, criminal conduct, or plans to commit crimes, which must still be reported. The bill also clarifies that employers are not liable for unauthorized disclosures made by participants and exempts counseling records from public inspection under the Public Records Act.