Idaho Passes PTSI Bill Helping First Responders

This is such great news! The Idaho House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill 1028, which would offer help to first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) with worker's compensation. The bill sailed through the House with a vote of 59-10 in favor of the proposed bill.

So, what does the bill actually do? According to KTVB, It "would require insurance companies to cover psychological injuries suffered by first responders such as police officers, firefighters, EMS, and dispatchers." As the law stands now, the only way PTSI would be covered is if the individual also received a physical injury, which is usually not the case.

I'm, personally, so excited about this bill potentially becoming law.  My husband who is a veteran and spent 5 years with the Idaho Department of Corrections knows first-hand what it's like to work in stressful situations that can really affect your life, not just physically but mentally as well. It's a sensitive subject, and I think this bill will allow law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS, and dispatchers to openly talk about their struggles and not have to worry about the financial burden of seeking out those services.

This hasn't been an easy process either. According to KTVB, the coalition behind this bill has been working on it since 1996! Last month, the Senate passed it with a 31-4 vote. The bill is now heading to the Governor for final approval. If signed into law, it would take effect on July 1.

If you want to read more about SB 1028, CLICK HERE.