KY HB26

Expands the definition of "injury" under Kentucky workers' compensation law to include psychological, psychiatric, or stress-related conditions not resulting from physical injury for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, front-line staff, and Kentucky National Guard members on state active duty

Requires claimants to prove by preponderance of evidence that the work-related event or cumulative stress was extraordinary and unusual compared to average employees across all occupations, and was the proximate cause of the psychological condition

Excludes mental health claims resulting from disciplinary actions, work evaluations, job transfers, layoffs, demotions, terminations, or similar good-faith employer actions

Creates a rebuttable presumption that PTSD diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional within 3 years of last active employment is a covered work-related injury for eligible first responders

Allows employers to overcome the PTSD presumption by proving through preponderance of evidence that the condition was caused by nonservice-connected risk factors or exposure