HB 4473 Summary

• Creates a presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arises out of and in the course of employment for specified first responders and law enforcement, absent non-work-related causation or specific independent incidents.

• Applies the presumption to members of fully paid fire and police departments of cities, townships, and incorporated villages; members of fully paid public fire authorities; county sheriffs and deputies; state police members; airport fire department members; conservation officers; and motor carrier enforcement division officers.

• Allows the presumption to be rebutted only by scientific evidence showing the individual experienced a psychiatric stressor independent of work that was a significant factor in causing, aggravating, or progressing the PTSD.

• Specifies that merely showing the PTSD was preexisting or providing abstract medical opinions that employment was not the cause is insufficient to overcome the presumption.