Bill > HB237

This bill amends the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to expand death benefit eligibility for firefighters, ambulance service or rescue squad members, law enforcement officers, and National Guard members. The bill introduces provisions that recognize mental health challenges and post-traumatic stress injuries as potential line-of-duty causes of death. Specifically, the bill allows benefits for individuals who die due to a diagnosed psychiatric disorder resulting from on-duty traumatic events, or who die within 45 days of experiencing a traumatic event. The legislation defines "traumatic events" broadly, including incidents involving serious bodily injury, death, threats to life, mass casualties, crime scene investigations, and situations involving minors. The bill also clarifies that "personal injury sustained in the line of duty" can include post-traumatic stress injuries diagnosed by licensed professionals, and expands coverage to include situations where an individual has sought mental health assistance. Retroactively applicable to January 1, 2019, the bill aims to provide more comprehensive death benefits that recognize the psychological toll of emergency and law enforcement work. The bill will take effect 60 days after passage and is named "Bryan's Law" in recognition of its intent to support public service workers and their families.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=237