Maine Moves to Extend Workers’ Comp Mental Health Benefit for First Responders

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A Maine legislative committee has signed off on a proposal to help emergency responders gain better access to mental health support.

The proposal would continue a presumption that firefighters, emergency medical technicians, police officers, emergency dispatchers and others who are diagnosed as having post- traumatic stress disorder have the condition because of “extraordinary and unusual work stress.” The Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee unanimously approved the bill (LD1879) on Monday.

Professional Firefighters of Maine backed the change. The organization said the bill would shift the burden of proof to the employer to prove the condition is not related to work. The organization’s president, Michael Crouse, said providing workers’ compensation coverage for the responders is “critical to ensuring they can access the care they need to recover from this condition.”

The mental health presumption for first responders is currently on the books but is due to expire in October. The bill before the Legislature would make the presumption permanent.

The full Maine Legislature must still vote on the proposal.