Idaho governor signs PTSD comp bill for first responders

Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Tuesday signed into law a bill that would provide workers compensation to first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a spokesman in the governor’s office.

The Idaho Senate and House on Tuesday passed S.B. 1028 in February, which would cover post-traumatic stress disorder for first responders if they can prove their mental injury was related to an event experienced on the job.

S.B. 1028 would require the first responder to be “examined and subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress injury by a psychologist” or similar medical professional, and would require “clear and convincing evidence” that indicates that the PTSD was caused by “an event or events arising out of and in the course of the first responder's employment.”