First responders in New Jersey would gain counseling and job protections following harrowing on-duty incidents that cause mental anguish under a bill introduced by the state Senate on Monday.
S.B. 3296, which would provide regular pay and benefits for up to 30 days following an incident and the need for post-incident counseling, is the third bill this year in the state to address such issues as post-traumatic stress disorder for first responders — the two earlier bills are in committee.
The latest bill, which was sent to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee, states that an “employer shall not require a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or sheriff’s officer who is receiving debriefing and counseling services to use accrued paid vacation leave, personal leave, or sick leave if the law enforcement officer, firefighter, or sheriff’s officer leaves work to attend the debriefing and counseling sessions.”
The bill is in line with a nationwide legislative trend that aims to keep PTSD treatment out of workers compensation, as self-insured municipalities have argued that the unknown costs of mental injury presumptions are a hurdle to implementation.