Bill > HB1002

This bill amends existing Washington state law to recognize posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an occupational disease for county coroners and medical examiner personnel, similar to existing provisions for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and public safety telecommunicators. Specifically, the bill defines "county coroner and medical examiner personnel" as individuals who respond to, investigate, handle evidence, or conduct autopsies for cases under a county coroner or medical examiner's jurisdiction. The bill stipulates that for personnel hired after January 1, 2026, these workers must have undergone a pre-employment psychological examination ruling out PTSD from prior exposures to qualify for occupational disease status. However, the bill also maintains an important limitation that PTSD claims will not be considered an occupational disease if the disorder is directly attributed to good-faith employment actions like disciplinary proceedings, job transfers, or termination. This legislation provides additional worker protections for professionals who are frequently exposed to traumatic situations in their line of work, acknowledging the potential psychological toll of their responsibilities.

Business and Industry, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1002&Year=2025&Initiative=false