HB67 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt SimpsonRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Workers' compensation, firefighters, law enforcement officers, diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses, co's and municipalities required to maintain certain disability insurance coverage

Summary

HB67 would expand PTSD-related benefits for local law enforcement officers and firefighters by requiring copay reimbursements, disability payments, and employer coverage, with specific rules for counties, municipalities, fire districts, and volunteer departments.

What This Bill Does

It requires counties, municipalities, and fire districts to reimburse copayments or provide coverage for PTSD treatment (including counseling). It also requires disability payments or coverage for officers and firefighters who cannot return to work due to PTSD from a specific employment-related event, at 66 2/3% of base pay for up to 12 months per incident. Eligibility involves peer support participation, a diagnosis by a licensed clinician showing PTSD from a specific event, and medical necessity, with return-to-work approval required. Volunteer fire departments may opt in to provide these benefits, with costs, notice, and a defined methodology for benefit amounts.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement officers and firefighters employed by counties, municipalities, or fire districts who are diagnosed with PTSD and meet the bill's eligibility criteria.
• Counties, municipalities, and fire districts that employ those officers and firefighters and would be required to reimburse copays, provide coverage, and administer disability benefits under the bill.

Key Provisions

• Defines terms: firefighter, officer, PTSD, and a 'specific event' that ties the PTSD to an employment-related incident.
• Reimburses copayments for PTSD treatment (including counseling) or requires equivalent coverage if the officer or firefighter qualifies under the act.
• Requires disability payments or coverage for those unable to work due to PTSD from a qualifying specific event, at 66 2/3% of base pay, for up to 12 months per incident, with monthly treatment attendance verification and ongoing care.
• Eligibility requires: employer liability waiver under state law for the benefits, participation in peer support, a medical diagnosis with validation testing confirming PTSD from the specific event, and a medical determination of medical necessity for treatment.
• Disability benefits are only available if a licensed clinician determines the officer or firefighter cannot continue work due to PTSD from the eligible event, and if monthly treatment attendance is verified.
• Payments are not taxable by state income tax, and premiums for the coverage are not subject to premium taxes.
• Not retroactive to PTSD from events before the act’s effective date; volunteer fire departments may elect to provide these benefits with cost-sharing rules and a 60-day notice to discontinue.
• Effective date: January 1, 2023.

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