Assemblymember Salena Torres Faucette presented Assembly Bill 433 on Friday to the Senate Committee on Government Affairs, asking lawmakers to create a Purple Ribbon Task Force to study wellness programs for firefighters, peace officers and other first responders.

"Due to the demanding nature of their work, peace officers face different and often greater health and wellness risk than the general public," Torres Faucette said, summarizing testimony that cited studies linking policing to PTSD, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. The bill was recommended by the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Government Affairs.

AB 433 would require the task force to review existing state policies and personal-wellness initiatives and to submit a written report and recommendations to the Senate and Assembly for the next legislative session. Torres Faucette told the committee members must be appointed by Oct. 1, 2025; she also said a small amendment would clarify firefighter representation so it could include labor organizations.

Joshua Martinez of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told the committee Metro has established a standalone wellness bureau with clinicians and peer-support members. "Last year we didn't have one suicide on our police organization," Martinez said, attributing that to the wellness bureau's work.

Firefighters and firefighter unions endorsed the bill. Ryan Beeman of the Professional Firefighters of Nevada said many first responders avoid seeking help because of stigma and confidentiality concerns. He said unions often bear costs for peer support and that wellness services vary across departments.

Municipal government representatives including Randy Robinson (City of Las Vegas) and David Cherry (City of Henderson) expressed support and said they expect the task force to produce recommendations that could improve retention and job performance. No opponents testified and the committee closed the hearing with the sponsor indicating further amendments might be filed.