Wisconsin Senate passes PTSD bill

The Wisconsin Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that would allow law enforcement officers and firefighters to obtain workers compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder without an accompanying physical injury.

S.B. 11, which passed unanimously, would modify current law which only provides coverage for mental injuries with an accompanying physical injury. Under the legislation, first responders who show by a preponderance of the evidence that their diagnosed PTSD was “not the result of a good-faith employment action” by their employer can seek workers compensation. The bill limits treatment to no more than 32 weeks after the injury is first reported. 

The bill also made changes regarding payments to the worker injury supplemental benefit fund, the furnishing of billing statements and liability for workers compensation for leased employees.

The legislation will now go before the House for consideration.