Bill Summary: SB 231

• Expands workers' compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) to include emergency medical services personnel, Department of Correction employees, and telecommunicators (dispatchers), effective July 1, 2020.

• Defines "eligible individual" to include firefighters, EMS personnel, DOC employees, and telecommunicators who can claim PTSI benefits if diagnosed by a mental health professional as a direct result of a qualifying event occurring in the line of duty on or after July 1, 2019.

• Establishes "qualifying events" including viewing a deceased minor, witnessing death or serious injury, providing medical treatment to fatally injured persons, or witnessing traumatic injuries resulting in permanent disfigurement or loss of vital body function.

• Limits PTSI benefits to maximum of 52 weeks from date of diagnosis and four years from the qualifying event, including medical treatment and temporary incapacity benefits that cannot exceed the employee's average weekly wage when combined with other benefits.

• Requires employers to contest liability within 28 days of receiving a claim notice or be presumed to accept compensability; specifies that PTSI must not result from disciplinary action, personnel transfers, or job-related disputes.