Legislators in Connecticut and South Carolina have proposed legislation that would make it easier for early respondents to obtain workers’ compensation coverage for mental health injuries or occupational illnesses.
In Connecticut, SB 141, introduced on Tuesday, would assume that professional firefighters and volunteers who were diagnosed with cancer were injured in the line of duty due to exposure to toxic substances and poisonous gases. To be eligible, the firefighter must have served for a minimum of five years, been repeatedly exposed to internal fires, be a non-smoker and have no history of cancer before becoming a firefighter.
SB 142 would extend the benefits of workers’ compensation to correctional officers, emergency medical service providers and dispatchers who are diagnosed with mental or emotional disabilities related to their jobs.
In South Carolina, SB 94, also introduced on Tuesday, would modify the state workers’ compensation law to allow the first respondents who are diagnosed with a mental injury or post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from their direct involvement in a significant traumatic experience obtain labor compensation.
If converted into law, the legislation would take effect immediately.