SB 708 - This act provides that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed in any person who is a firefighter, police officer, emergency medical technician, emergency medical dispatcher or other first responder shall be presumed as an occupational disease resulting from employment if: · The person has completed at least 5 years of employment; and
· The person was examined by a medical professional upon commencing employment and the examination failed to reveal any evidence of PTSD.
Denial of a claim under this act shall be on the basis of clear and convincing medical evidence that the cause of the PTSD is unrelated to the person's employment as a firefighter, police officer, emergency medical technician, emergency medical dispatcher, or other first responder.
This act is similar to HB 1640 (2022), a provision in HCS/HB 2054 (2022), and SB 545 (2020).
SCOTT SVAGERA