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Legislation that would provide benefits to workers who have experienced a traumatic event in the workplace passes
DENVER, CO–The House today passed Representative Johnathan Singer’s bipartisan bill to provide worker’s compensation for employees who have experienced visual and audible psychological trauma. The bill is also sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields and John Cooke. The bill passed 48-15.
“This piece of legislation is crucial for the mental health of our 911 operators and dispatchers,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont. “When we call 911 we don’t think of the person on the other side of the line even though they save lives on a daily basis. Most of us can’t imagine the trauma that some of these individuals have to go through. Helping to treat PTSD that occurs on the job is just a small way that we can show our appreciation, and help them keep saving our neighbors’ lives by getting them back to work stronger and faster.”
SB20-026 would expand worker’s compensation benefits for criminal justice employees who were exposed to death while they were working if they were diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist with PTSD. Under the bill, workers who experience either visual or audible death or serious bodily injury, or the immediate aftermath of these events would be eligible for worker’s compensation. The eligibility also extends to workers who were repeatedly exposed to these qualifying events.