House Passes Bill to Increase Benefits for First Responder Mental Injuries

The Virginia House of Delegates unanimously passed a bill that doubles the duration of workers' compensation benefits available for law enforcement and firefighters with certain mental health injuries. The House on Tuesday voted 99-0 to pass HB 2060, by Rep. Paul E. Krizek, D-Alexandria. The bill would increase the duration of benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression to 104 weeks from 52 weeks if the claimant is in law enforcement or firefighting. Krizek amended the bill two days before the House passed it to remove a provision that would have increased the dur...