Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday ceremonially signed into law Senate Bill 24, which, among other things, creates a post-traumatic stress disorder presumption in workers compensation for first responders.
Under the new law, first responders such as firefighters, police officers and EMTs would qualify for comp benefits if their PTSD stemmed from job activities.
The law would not be contingent upon the presence of a physical injury.
First responders seeking benefits under a PTSD presumption would have to meet certain criteria as far as qualifying events, including witnessing the death of a minor, seeing someone suffer a serious physical injury that “shocks the conscience,” directly witnessing any type of death while on the job, or be involved firsthand in a job-related incident that causes, or may cause, a serious physical injury.
A compensable PTSD claim would be measured from time of exposure or time of diagnosis and any such claim would have to be filed within 52 weeks after the event or diagnosis.
The expansive bill also includes a provision that now officially classifies 911 dispatchers as first responders.