West Virginia lawmakers are considering a bill that would expand which professionals can diagnose a first responder with post-traumatic stress disorder.
H.B. 4698, introduced Monday and sent to the Committee on Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services, then Health and Human Resources, then Finance, would eliminate language in the state’s statute on PTSD presumptions that states only a psychiatrist can diagnose the condition and adds “mental health provider” as among those who can diagnose.
The bill also stipulates that such a professional would need to be licensed and have at least a master’s degree.