PTSD Measure Killed in Senate Committee

Friday, April 29, 2016 | 0

A bill that would have allowed most any worker to file post-traumatic stress workers’ compensation claims was shot down by the Colorado legislature’s Senate Committee on State, Veterans, and Military Affairs on Wednesday.

Rep. Jonathan Singer

House Bill 16-1399 would have barred workers’ comp payers from denying workers’ compensation claims for mental impairment based on the employee’s occupation.

Sponsored by House Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Boulder, and State Sen. Linda Newel, D-Arapahoe, the measure would have required any worker claiming mental impairment to be evaluated by a licensed doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist.

The Republican-controlled committee rejected the measure, which had already been passed by the full House of Representatives.

Panel members told Colorado Public Radio that it was too expansive and that it would have allowed any worker, not just emergency personnel, to file a post-traumatic stress syndrome claim.