HB 26-1185: First Responder Peer Support Confidentiality Expansion

Overview

Colorado HB 26-1185 expands peer support confidentiality protections to cover all first responders including fire, EMS, and corrections personnel — previously limited to law enforcement. Communications made to trained peer support team members during the course of peer support services are now privileged and cannot be compelled in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings. Agencies must register peer support programs with the state.

This regulatory update carries high impact for employers in Colorado. Below, we cover the key requirements, compliance timeline, practical implications, and recommended next steps.

Key Requirements

Requirements at a Glance

Key provisions of this regulatory update:

1. Colorado HB 26-1185 expands peer support confidentiality protections to cover all first responders including fire, EMS, and corrections personnel — previously limited to law enforcement
2. Communications made to trained peer support team members during the course of peer support services are now privileged and cannot be compelled in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings
3. Agencies must register peer support programs with the state

Compliance deadline: June 30, 2026

Who Is Affected and Where This Applies

This applies to employers operating in Colorado (view Colorado compliance profile).

Industries affected: government. Employers in Government should prioritize their review of this update and assess whether their current programs meet the new requirements.

Compliance Timeline

Background and Context

The behavioral-health Regulatory Landscape

Occupational health programs encompass employer obligations including medical surveillance, fitness-for-duty evaluations, return-to-work assessments, and workplace health screenings. These programs are governed by OSHA substance-specific standards (silica, lead, asbestos, benzene, cadmium, and others), state workers' compensation requirements, and ADA/EEOC guidance on permissible medical examinations and inquiries.

For employers in regulated industries, occupational health compliance is not optional. OSHA's substance-specific standards mandate baseline and periodic medical examinations for exposed workers, with specific frequency requirements, medical removal triggers, and recordkeeping obligations. Effective programs go beyond minimum compliance to proactively identify and mitigate workplace health risks — and employers who invest in comprehensive occupational health typically see reduced workers' compensation costs, lower absenteeism, and fewer lost-time injuries.

Why This Matters for Employers

This is a high-impact regulatory change with broad implications. While this is specific to Colorado, it reflects a regulatory trend that other states are likely to follow. Employers should not wait until the enforcement date to begin compliance planning — the time to assess your exposure and update your programs is now.

Industry focus: This primarily affects employers in the Government sector. Organizations in this industry should evaluate their current compliance posture and determine if existing programs meet the updated requirements.

For HR directors, safety managers, and compliance officers, this update should trigger a review of current written programs, training records, and standard operating procedures. The cost of proactive compliance is almost always lower than the cost of responding to violations, litigation, or workplace incidents after the fact.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Employers who fail to comply may face penalties including fines, enforcement actions, and increased regulatory scrutiny. The specific penalty structure depends on the enforcing agency, the nature of the violation, and the employer's compliance history. Proactive compliance is consistently less expensive than remediation after a citation or lawsuit.

What Employers Should Do Now

BlueHive provides OSHA compliance resources nationwide and tracks this topic through our behavioral-health compliance hub. View the Colorado compliance profile for all tracked regulations in this state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Compliance Updates

• AB 1220: Mandatory Annual Behavioral Health Screening for Law Enforcement Officers — behavioral-health, California (Sep 2025)
• SB 64: Mental Health Leave and Post-Incident Protocol Requirements for Peace Officers — behavioral-health, Texas (Apr 2026)
• Lawful Off-Duty Activities Protection — Drug Testing, Colorado (Dec 2023)
• AB 2188: Pre-Employment Drug Testing Restrictions for Cannabis — Drug Testing, California (Dec 2023)

---

Source: Official Legislation · Verified 2026-05-17

This article is part of BlueHive Compliance Watch, which monitors occupational health regulations across all 50 states and federal agencies. Browse all state profiles → · View all compliance articles →