by
<a href="mailto:loganb@awcnet.org">Logan Bahr</a> | Mar 02, 2018
<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6214&Year=2017"><strong>SB 6214</strong></a> allows law enforcement officers and firefighters to make a workers’ compensation claim for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an occupational disease (which current law prohibits) and also makes that coverage presumptive.
SB 6214 allows law enforcement officers and firefighters to make a workers’ compensation claim for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an occupational disease (which current law prohibits) and also makes that coverage presumptive. Under a presumption, the employer must prove that the job did not cause the employee’s PTSD. Per the bill, PTSD is not considered an occupational disease if the disorder is directly attributed to disciplinary action, termination, or similar action taken by an employer. Also, the presumption only applies if the PTSD manifests after the employee has served for at least 10 years.
The Legislature passed SB 6214 and, if signed by the Governor, it will go into effect 90 days after the end of session.