Florida will expand workers compensation benefits so first responders can get coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Workers comp. expanded to first responders w/ PTSD
- Legislation will take effect Oct. 1
- Advocacy efforts from families of first responders helped propel bill
Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday signed a bill that would allow firefighters, paramedics, and law-enforcement officers to get PTSD treatment even if they do not sustain a physical injury.
The condition has traditionally been most acute among members of the military who have been exposed to combat but is increasingly afflicting police officers, sheriff's deputies and firefighters.
Supporters of the legislation, which takes effect Oct. 1, have predicted that Florida's recent spate of mass shootings will lead to many more PTSD diagnoses in the coming months and years.
"If we expect people to take care of us -- they'll never know us, not meet us, most likely -- we should be doing the same thing for them," Scott said after signing the bill at the Tampa Firefighter Museum.
The legislation initially received pushback from some cities and counties concerned about the added costs of extending PTSD treatment benefits under workers' comp. An aggressive advocacy effort by family members of first responders who have struggled with the condition helped propel the bill to the finish line.
"After his tragic death, I reflected on a conversation I had with our brother, Stevie, and how he felt let down when he came forward and said he could no longer go on calls anymore," said Megan Vila, whose brother, Steve LaDue, committed suicide after 30 years on the job at Tampa Fire Rescue.
The legislation was also a top priority for Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.
Patronis, who also serves as the state's fire marshal, toured the state and met with firefighters and talked to them about their experiences. He said the number of suicide attempts is higher among firefighters than the general population.
Rep. Matt Willhite sponsored the bill. His fulltime job is serving as a captain at Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.