H.R. 2577 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a mental health and wellness program for its law enforcement personnel. The program would help the agency to coordinate and oversee efforts to address mental health issues across DHS’s component units, including providing outreach and training, conducting research, and sharing best practices across existing peer support programs. The bill also would require DHS to brief the Congress annually on the program’s activities.
Based on information from DHS, CBO expects that the department carries out most of the activities required by the bill. CBO expects that DHS would need the equivalent of one or two employees each year to fully implement the bill’s requirements. On that basis, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2577 would cost less than $500,000 each year and $2 million over the 2024-2028 period. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
