HB323 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to first responders; to require certain benefits be made available to first responders suffering from work-related post-traumatic stress disorder; to make certain leave benefits available to employed first responders; and to have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

Summary

HB323 would create a funded program to provide work-related PTSD benefits and treatment leave for Alabama first responders, financed by employer premiums and regulated by state agencies with tax exemptions and local-funding rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill would add PTSD as a covered condition for first responders and provide reimbursements for out-of-pocket treatment costs and paid time off for treatment. It creates a Fund, administered by the Alabama League of Municipalities and regulated by the Secretary of the Department of Labor, to pay these benefits and exempts the benefits from state income tax. It also imposes a local-funding requirement under the constitution, requiring a 2/3 vote or other legislative funding to take effect for local entities.

Who It Affects

• Career firefighters, volunteer firefighters, and law enforcement officers who are first responders and work for municipalities or fire districts; they could receive PTSD-related benefits and paid treatment leave if eligible.
• Employers (municipalities and fire districts) that must fund the program with annual premiums, determine primary employers for employees with multiple jobs, and ensure coverage for eligible participants.
• Volunteer fire departments and volunteer participants who may elect to participate and receive benefits if they meet eligibility requirements.
• The Alabama League of Municipalities (establishes the fund) and the Secretary of the Department of Labor (regulates the fund and benefits).

Key Provisions

• PTSD is added as a covered condition for first responders, with benefits including reimbursement of eligible treatment costs and paid time off for treatment.
• A Fund is established to administer the benefits, created by the Alabama League of Municipalities and regulated by the Secretary of Labor; benefits are exempt from state income tax.
• Eligibility requires a qualifying event within the prior 12 months, consent that the employer is not liable under state law, participation in peer support, and certification by an authorized treating physician confirming PTSD and medical necessity of treatment.
• Annual premiums for coverage are set by actuarial study and approved by the Secretary; all eligible employers must pay into the Fund by December 31 for the next year; premiums are fully earned and nonrefundable.
• Covered participants may receive up to 80 additional hours of paid PTSD treatment leave per claim, with no loss of pay and no impact on performance evaluations or disciplinary actions.
• Travel for PTSD treatment may be reimbursed at the IRS standard mileage rate for travel within Alabama to see an authorized treating physician, under specified conditions.
• There is a lifetime cap of $15,000 on co-payments and deductibles reimbursed for PTSD treatment.
• If a covered participant works for multiple eligible employers, the primary employer is responsible for program requirements; there are rules about transfers and coverage continuity.
• The bill imposes a local-funding requirement under Section 111.05 of the Alabama Constitution, meaning the measure would require new or increased local funds and 2/3 vote or specific funding to become effective for local entities.
• The act takes effect January 1, 2024, with PTSD benefits not applying to events occurring before the effective date.

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

Subjects

First Responders, establish fund to pay benefits to first responders with work-related PTSD