With increasing suicide rates for first responders suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) now outpacing on-duty deaths, the state Senate, in a unanimous roll call vote, approved the “Public Safety PTSD Coverage Act”.
Sen. André Jacque, who authored the measure, said PTSD can be treated effectively, and allow those affected to return to protecting and serving the public.
Since being first proposed by Sen. Jacque in 2017, several other states including Minnesota have passed similar legislation, with negligible impact on overall workers compensation system costs.
Jacque stated in a news release that “It is critical that the men and women we depend on as first responders who are affected by PTSD have access to treatment. This support is crucial for their own health, and those who depend on them.”
