Law-enforcement officers and firefighters suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder will be entitled to workers’ compensation under a bill that is headed to the Senate floor for a vote.
The bill, SB 561, will provide that PTSD incurred by first responders is covered by the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act if a mental health professional diagnoses an individual as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of an event occurring in the line of duty on or after July 1.
Sen. Jill Vogel, R-Fauquier, who introduced the bill, addressed the need for this legislation following the mass shooting in Virginia Beach last year.
