Bill > HB1667

This bill modifies the workers' compensation system to establish specific eligibility criteria for first responders to receive benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The bill defines "first responders" as employees of the state, political subdivisions, or higher education institutions who are peace officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, or firefighters. It specifies that PTSD will be considered a compensable injury only if it is diagnosed as being caused by one or more events occurring in the course of the first responder's employment, and the preponderance of evidence shows these events were a producing cause of the disorder. The bill uses the diagnostic criteria from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) and stipulates that the date of injury is when the first responder first knew or should have known the disorder might be related to their employment. The changes will apply only to claims for compensable injuries occurring on or after the bill's effective date, which is September 1, 2025, and the bill also adjusts related legal references to reflect these modifications to the workers' compensation system.

Labor and Employment

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1667