Bill > HB2405

This bill establishes a pilot program for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment and research, aiming to improve recovery outcomes for workers in high-risk occupations who experience trauma. The program will allow workers filing a PTSD claim to receive treatment before their claim is officially approved, with costs for rejected claims being spread across relevant risk classes for state fund claims or paid by self-insurers. The program also allows for additional treatment sessions after a claim closes to maintain a worker's functioning level and aims to reduce administrative burdens for both workers and providers. Additionally, the bill allows for the use of funds designated for return-to-work programs to support workplace behavioral health initiatives, including PTSD prevention and trauma-informed reintegration protocols, for occupations with a high risk of PTSD. The Department of Labor and Industries is authorized to adopt necessary rules and will report to the legislature with recommendations on extending or expanding these programs by July 1, 2030, with the pilot program set to expire on December 31, 2030.