HB154: Helping Heroes Act; create to provide support to first responders and public EMS personnel diagnosed with PTSD.

Legislative Summary

An Act To Create The "helping Heroes Act" To Provide Support To Any Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter Or Public Ems Personnel Who Is Diagnosed With Ptsd By A Mental Health Professional During His Or Her Normal Course Of Duty; To Provide Definitions; To Provide That As An Alternative To Pursuing Workers' Compensation Benefits, Upon A Diagnosis Of Ptsd, A First Responder Or Public Ems Personnel Shall Be Entitled To Reimbursement For Paid Mental Health Services And Up To Thirty Days Of Paid Time Off; To Provide That The Treatment And Paid Time Off For Each Eligible First Responder Or Public Ems Personnel Shall Not Exceed $7,500.00 Per Person Annually; To Provide That The Treatment And Paid Time Off Shall Be Paid Through The Insurance Premium Tax Revenue Collected By The Department Of Revenue; To Create A Special Fund In The State Treasury To Be Known As The "helping Heroes Act Fund"; To Provide The Reporting Requirements Of The Fund; And For Related Purposes.