Bill > S1821

This bill amends Chapter 32 of the General Laws to establish a presumption of line-of-duty disability or death benefits for certain public service workers who develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, the bill defines PTSD according to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and establishes a presumption that PTSD-related disability or death is service-connected for full-time uniformed members of police, fire, emergency medical services, transportation, and correctional departments, as well as certain airport and military fire personnel. To qualify, the affected worker must have passed a pre-employment physical examination that did not reveal the PTSD condition, and the disorder must be diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional. The bill allows workers to apply for benefits if they are first diagnosed with PTSD within 5 years of their last active service, with benefits payable from the date of their last regular compensation. Importantly, the presumption does not apply if the PTSD can be proven to result from non-service-connected factors or if it stems from routine personnel actions like job transfers, evaluations, or disciplinary proceedings taken in good faith by the employer.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1821