New changes are coming for the state’s workers’ compensation statutes with a new law that expands coverage for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to police and fire personnel.

SB 6214 passed into law this legislative session and allows law enforcement officers and firefighters to make workers’ compensation claims for PTSD as an occupational disease (which current law prohibits) and also makes that coverage presumptive. Under a presumption, the claim is accepted on its face and an 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 and the presumption only applies if the PTSD manifests after the employee has served for at least 10 years. To learn more, click here to read the law or contact Logan Bahr at AWC.