HB274 Summary

• Establishes a fund administered by the Alabama League of Municipalities to provide PTSD benefits to eligible paid and volunteer first responders (career firefighters, law enforcement officers, and certified/non-certified volunteer firefighters).

• Provides paid first responders up to $15,000 lifetime reimbursement for out-of-pocket PTSD treatment costs and up to 80 annual working hours of paid leave per claim for treatment.

• Authorizes disability compensation payments of $3,000 per month for up to 12 months (maximum $36,000 lifetime) for paid first responders unable to work due to PTSD, effective January 1, 2025.

• Requires participants to have experienced a qualifying traumatic event within 12 months, receive peer support debriefing, and obtain certification from an authorized treating physician before claiming benefits.

• Exempts benefit payments from state income tax; requires employers to pay annual actuarially-determined premiums by December 31st; allows volunteer firefighters to voluntarily pay premiums or have departments contribute.