Report: Lawmaker Revives PTSD Bill

Thursday, March 3, 2022 | 0

A Georgia senator revived a bill that would provide workers’ compensation coverage for first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder after a similar measure died in the lower chamber, according to a report by the National Public Radio affiliate in Atlanta.

Georgia law covers mental health claims only when they’re accompanied by a physical injury. Senate Bill 484, by Sen. Randy Robertson, R-Catuala, would make PTSD a compensable condition for first responders.

The bill would also presume PTSD arose out of employment for first responders who experience one or more psychologically traumatic events. The presumption could be rebutted by scientific evidence that the worker experienced a psychiatric stressor from sources other than a traumatic event arising out of and in the course of employment.

Robertson introduced the bill earlier in February, and it was referred to the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee.

Lawmakers are hesitant to tweak work comp laws, Georgia Public Broadcasting reports. But Senate Insurance and Labor Committee Chairman Sen. Dean Burke, R-Bainbridge, said, “[J]ust know that this is something that I think is a serious issue that needs to be dealt with and it needs to be done sooner rather than later.”

Identical legislation, HB 855 by Rep. Gregg Kennard, D-Lawrenceville, died in January.