HB44 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt SimpsonRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Workers' compensation, occupational disease further defined, includes mental disease or disorder for emergency responders, Sec. 25-5-110 am'd.

Summary

HB 44 would let emergency responders receive workers’ compensation for mental health conditions like PTSD even if there is no physical injury.

What This Bill Does

It amends the workers’ compensation law to treat mental diseases or disorders, including PTSD, as occupational diseases for emergency responders when the condition arises out of and in the course of employment, without requiring a accompanying physical injury. It also clearly defines who counts as an emergency responder for this purpose. The change applies to benefits tied to mental health conditions that stem from job hazards, and the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Emergency responders (law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency dispatchers, and emergency medical technicians) who may develop PTSD or other mental illnesses linked to their job.
• Employers and entities that run emergency services, who would handle and fund workers’ compensation for mental health conditions arising from employment.

Key Provisions

• Adds mental disease or disorder, including PTSD, to the definition of occupational disease for emergency responders, allowing benefits without a required physical injury.
• Defines emergency responders to include law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency dispatchers, and emergency medical technicians.
• Specifies that the occupational disease for emergency responders arises out of and in the course of employment due to job-related hazards, regardless of negligence.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Workers' Compensation