Bill > SB394

This bill provides workers' compensation coverage for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) specifically for first responders, expanding existing workers' compensation law. The bill defines first responders as firefighters, law enforcement officers, employees of county detention centers or prisons, and emergency care providers. To qualify for compensation, a first responder must be diagnosed with PTSD according to the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and the diagnosis must find that the PTSD arose out of the course and scope of their employment. This is a significant change from previous law, which generally did not allow compensation for stress-related claims. The bill amends several existing statutes to explicitly include PTSD as a compensable injury for these specific types of workers, recognizing the unique and potentially traumatic nature of their professional responsibilities. Importantly, the bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to PTSD claims arising on or after that date, providing a clear framework for first responders to seek workers' compensation benefits for work-related mental health conditions.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3228