State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara’s father was a Philadelphia firefighter who shortly after returning home from a shift died by suicide and that’s why when she heard Pennsylvania first responders were not entitled to worker’s compensation for on-the-job post-traumatic stress injuries, it was personal for her.
She authored the bill, which passed the House in May, and which provides Workers’ Compensation coverage to emergency responders who sustain post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) in the line of duty. It passed its final hurdle last week and will be sent to Governor Shapiro this week.
Getting the legislation passed has been a passion project for O’Mara.
“In the aftermath of suicide, we’re haunted not just by the loss, but by the silence of what might have been prevented,” said O’Mara, D-Delaware. “That feeling has driven me to see this legislation through, so that it can majorly reduce harm to our emergency-responder community in Pennsylvania.”
O’Mara’s bill language from her H.B. 1632 was amended into S.B. 365, passed last week, and heads to Gov. Josh Shapiro for his signature into law.
An estimated 30% of emergency responders develop behavioral health conditions, including depression and PTSI.
“While individuals in many other professions can already qualify for Workers’ Compensation for a mental-mental injury like PTSI, Pennsylvania Supreme Court determined first responders do not qualify because witnessing tragedy after tragedy is part of their normal working conditions,” O’Mara said. “But nothing about what first responders experience during an emergency is normal, and this legislation corrects an injustice to allow them to get the mental health resources they need.”
Specifically, the bill removes the abnormal working condition requirement for emergency responders to collect Workers’ Compensation for PTSI treatment. Emergency responders would have to be diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist.
“PTSI care can save an emergency responder’s life, and covering PTSI under Workers’ Compensation will help protect their livelihoods while allowing them to continue serving our communities,” O’Mara said. “First responders care for us during our most vulnerable moments; it is our duty to support them during theirs.”