Bill > SB2181

This bill modifies North Dakota's workers' compensation law to provide specific guidelines for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claims. The bill allows workers to receive workers' compensation for PTSD if they can prove the condition was caused by extraordinary workplace stress that goes beyond typical day-to-day emotional strain. To qualify, the PTSD must be diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist, meet the diagnostic criteria in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, not pre-exist the work event, and be determined to be at least 50% caused by work-related factors. The bill places limitations on PTSD claims, restricting disability benefits to a maximum of 32 weeks from the first report of injury and limiting an employee to two PTSD claims in their lifetime. Notably, PTSD claims will not be accepted if they result from routine employer actions taken in good faith, such as disciplinary actions, work evaluations, job transfers, layoffs, demotions, or terminations. The bill will apply to injuries sustained on or after August 1, 2025, and will remain in effect through July 31, 2029, after which it will become ineffective.

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https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo2181.html