Louisiana bill adding PTSD as compensable injury heads to governor

A bill that would add post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of injuries that are compensable for injured public employees awaits a signature from Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards.

S.B. 107 passed the state’s House of Representatives unanimously on May 29 and has moved to the governor’s office for his consideration. The bill unanimously passed the Louisiana Senate on May 8.

The proposed legislation amends the current law by requiring that workers compensation coverage for volunteer firefighters and any state police employees to include coverage for PTSD when caused by a traumatic event that occurred during employment. The bill also requires that disability benefits for emergency medical services, police department workers or firefighters include PTSD coverage.

However, S.B. 107 excludes disability benefits payable under the state’s public pension or retirement systems from coverage of PTSD as a presumed occupational disease.

Gov. Edwards’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.