Ohio House passes PTSD bill for first responders

For the second consecutive year, the Ohio House of Representatives passed legislation that would provide workers compensation benefits for first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder despite not having a physical injury, as is required under current law. 

Wednesday’s 74 to 22 passage of H.B. 308 follows a similar action in 2019 in which the House included language in its budget for the state’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation language that would have cleared the red tape. The state Senate, however, tabled that part of the budget.

Now off to the Senate for consideration is stand-alone legislation that names peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel among those eligible and would be applicable for workers compensation benefits and disability retirement.