Connecticut lawmakers have begun examining whether to expand a new law that provides certain workers' compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder to firefighters, police and parole officers.
The General Assembly's Labor and Public Employees Committee heard testimony Friday from ambulance personnel, correctional officers and emergency dispatchers who say they also should also be included.
Municipalities and unionized police and firefighters reached a compromise earlier this year to provide benefits for up to one year. While approved by the legislature and signed into law, there was concern the legislation did not include other first responders, including paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
The final version required the committee to review the feasibility of extending the law to emergency medical services personnel and correctional workers.
The next legislative session begins in February.
NBC Connecticut Investigates has reported extensively on the issue of first responder PTSD over the past few years, previously with a survey of almost 8,000 officers on PTSD by the Fraternal Order of Police and NBC owned stations, which took a deeper look at the issues officers reported experiencing after stressful calls.
