Bill > HB2405

This bill establishes a pilot program to address posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in workers, particularly those in high-risk occupations, by expanding access to evidence-based treatment and research. The program, managed by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), allows workers who file an occupational disease claim for PTSD to receive initial treatment and diagnostic services before their claim is officially approved, even if they are not yet in the L&I's medical provider network, provided the provider agrees to specific payment terms. This pre-claim adjudication treatment is limited to a diagnostic interview and a set number of therapy sessions, with potential for extensions. The bill also allows L&I to enter into agreements with specialized healthcare organizations to provide trauma-informed care and may reduce administrative burdens for participants. Self-insured employers can opt into this pilot program. The program aims to improve recovery outcomes and enable sustained work, and L&I is required to report on its effectiveness and provide recommendations for its future by July 1, 2030, with the pilot program set to expire on December 31, 2030.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2405&Year=2025&Initiative=false