Joyce Measure to Expand Mental Health Counseling to Coroners Passes Senate (Springfield, IL) – A measure aimed at expanding access to mental health services for coroners and medical examiners has cleared the Illinois Senate with bipartisan support.
State Sen. Patrick Joyce, D-Essex, is sponsoring Senate Bill 2770, which would classify coroners, deputy coroners, county medical examiners and their deputies as first responders for the purpose of receiving mental health counseling without cost-sharing.
“Coroners are critical in assisting law enforcement and our judicial system,” Joyce said. “By taking care of these employees we can prevent turnover and burnout.”
Under current law, certain first responders are eligible for no-cost mental health counseling due to the nature of their work. Joyce’s proposal would extend those same benefits to coroners and medical examiners, who are frequently exposed to traumatic death scenes and high-stress situations.
Supporters of the measure argue that expanding access to counseling services would help address mental health challenges within the profession while improving retention in roles that can be difficult to fill.
Senate Bill 2770 now advances to the Illinois House for further consideration.
Joyce Measure to Expand Mental Health Counseling to Coroners Passes Senate
