Connecticut Senate Bill SB00164

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/19
• Refer: 1/22/19
• Refer: 2/21/19
• Report Pass: 3/14/19
• Refer: 3/28/19
• Report Pass: 4/3/19
• Refer: 5/9/19
• Report Pass: 5/13/19
• Report Pass: 5/15/19
• Engrossed: 5/30/19
• Report Pass: 5/30/19
• Chaptered: 6/5/19
• Enrolled: 6/6/19
• Passed: 6/18/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Workers' Compensation Benefits For Certain Mental Or Emotional Impairments, Mental Health Care For Police Officers And Wellness Training For Police Officers, Parole Officers And Firefighters.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would substantially impact the workers' compensation framework in the state, ensuring that police officers, parole officers, and firefighters can claim benefits for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from their experiences on duty. The amended legislation mandates a structured protocol that includes treatment by approved mental health professionals and introduces a requirement for law enforcement agencies to implement peer support systems and wellness training. Consequently, this may lead to an influx of mental health claims from first responders, potentially shifting the resources and methodologies employed by workers' compensation boards.

Summary

Senate Bill 00164, titled 'An Act Concerning Workers' Compensation Benefits For Certain Mental Or Emotional Impairments, Mental Health Care For Police Officers And Wellness Training For Police Officers, Parole Officers And Firefighters' seeks to enhance the mental health support mechanisms for law enforcement personnel and first responders. The bill recognizes the psychological toll that both the use of deadly force and exposure to traumatic events can inflict on officers, allowing them to receive workers' compensation benefits for diagnosed mental impairments resulting from their professional duties. This legislative measure will amend existing statutes to explicitly include mental health conditions, thereby broadening the scope of eligible injuries covered by workers' compensation.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment surrounding SB00164 has shown significant support from various stakeholders, particularly mental health advocates and law enforcement leadership. Proponents argue that this bill addresses a critical gap in support for those who serve on the front lines. However, there remains a division of opinion, especially regarding the potential financial implications for the workers' compensation system and concerns about the adequacy of mental health care services available to meet increased demand. The bill’s approach to integrating mental health protection into the broader workers' compensation framework has garnered applause, while simultaneously raising questions about its practical implementation.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB00164 include discussions about the potential for increased costs to the workers' compensation system and the challenge of ensuring adequate mental health services and support for first responders. Additionally, critics worry about the criteria for qualifying for benefits under this new provision and how it may affect the dynamics between police departments and their personnel. The bill's emphasis on peer support and wellness training raises questions on the actual effectiveness and feasibility of such programs, particularly in smaller law enforcement agencies that may lack the resources to implement the required training sessions.