Workplace-related mental injuries have been a top focus of legislation introduced this year that would affect workers compensation laws, according to a report released Wednesday by the National Council on Compensation Insurance.
As of July 31, Boca Raton, Florida-based NCCI tracked 809 state and federal bills that could impact workers compensation, with 143 enacted.
Ten states enacted laws related to mental injuries, according to an interactive dashboard linked to NCCI’s report. Most of the laws either expanded or provided a mental health presumption to first responders.
Two states expanded eligibility to other workers: In Washington nurses are now eligible to file workers compensation claims for post-traumatic stress disorder by presumption and in Connecticut all workers who witness an event that affects their mental health are able to file claims under certain conditions.
In addition to mental injuries, medical cost containment has been a top legislative theme this year, including measures to provide or enhance medical fee schedules and treatment guidelines. New laws addressing claims reporting requirements and court hearing rules and procedures have also been a focus, according to the report.