Bills Address First Responder Benefits

Arizona lawmakers introduced bills for first responders to create a presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder arose from employment, and to eliminate a provision that terminates survivors' benefits upon remarriage. HB 2204, by Rep. Selina Bliss, R-Prescott, would create a presumption that PTSD is an occupational disease if a first responder currently receives or has previously received licensed counseling and has been diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional with a condition arising from the performance of service-related duties. Employers could rebut the presumption...