SPONSOR: Seitz
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Public Safety by a vote of 7 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Legislative Oversight by a vote of 11 to 0.
This bill recognizes posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an occupational disease, under Chapter 287, RSMo dealing with workers compensation, when diagnosed in specified first responders.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that a first responder is a person with specialized training and is usually the first to arrive on the scene of a natural disaster or accident that could involve mass casualties. They are heroes. There are diseases already listed as occupational diseases and PTSD should also be included. PTSD lessens a person s quality of life. More than 80% of first responders experienced traumatic events on the job so they are at higher risk for suffering from PTSD. Many first responders have contemplated suicide and there are different kinds of treatments to manage the symptoms of PTSD.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Seitz; and Arnie Dienoff.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill submitted written testimony, which can be found online.
Testifying against the bill was Mike Winter, Mo Self Insurers Association.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: