Bill > SB1702

This bill amends the Workers' Compensation Act to extend a legal presumption for workers' compensation claims to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for certain first responders. Specifically, the bill adds PTSD to the list of conditions that are automatically presumed to be work-related for firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), EMT-intermediates, advanced EMTs, and paramedics. Under this provision, if these professionals develop PTSD, it is legally presumed to arise from their employment and be causally connected to the hazards of their job, unless the employer can provide evidence to rebut this presumption. The presumption only applies to employees who have been working in these professions for at least 5 years, and does not extend to private EMTs who primarily perform non-emergency medical transfers. This change makes it easier for these first responders to receive workers' compensation benefits for PTSD, recognizing the high-stress and potentially traumatic nature of their work.

Justice

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1702&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104