Under existing workers' compensation law, an occupational disease is not considered to include a mental illness, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), unless a physical injury accompanies the mental illness. This bill would require certain benefits be provided to first responders who suffer from work-related PTSD, including reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket treatment expenses and paid time off for employed first responders for treatment. It would provide eligibility requirements for participants to receive the benefits. This bill would authorize a fund to disburse the benefits, to be established by the Alabama League of Municipalities and regulated by the Secretary of the Department of Labor. This bill would also exempt paid benefits from state income tax liability. Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022 prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the HB323 HB323 INTRODUCED INTRODUCED Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose. The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. If this bill is not enacted by a 2/3 vote, it will not become effective with regard to a local entity or until, and only as long as, the Legislature appropriates funds or provides for a local source of revenue.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-21-14