Bill > HB1313

This bill expands Workers' Compensation coverage for law-enforcement officers and firefighters by making the worsening of pre-existing conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder compensable, in addition to new diagnoses of these disorders. Previously, only new diagnoses of these mental health conditions incurred in the line of duty were covered. The bill clarifies that "in the line of duty" refers to actions an officer or firefighter is obligated or authorized to perform, and defines specific criteria for a "qualifying event" that can trigger a claim, such as incidents involving serious injury or death, minors, immediate threats to life, or mass casualties. The bill also maintains requirements for a mental health professional to diagnose the disorder, confirm it resulted from a qualifying event, and that the event was a substantial factor in causing the disorder, while removing the stipulation that the qualifying event must be the *primary* cause and that the disorder cannot stem from disciplinary actions.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1313