HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut lawmakers are sending Gov. Ned Lamont a bill to sign that will provide certain first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder benefits for up to one year.
But numerous legislators are expressing concern the legislation only applies to mostly firefighters and police officers and doesn’t include other first responders, including emergency medical personnel. Many lawmakers vowed to revisit the issue next year.
Friday’s unanimous vote comes about six years after proponents first tried to require Connecticut’s worker’s compensation laws to cover PTSD for first responders who witness a tragedy, such as the deadly Newtown school shooting in 2012.
The legislation stems from an agreement between the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and unionized police and firefighters. It requires a first responder to experience one of six qualifying events to receive benefits.
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