NC H492

Establishes posttraumatic stress disorder as a compensable occupational disease for law enforcement officers, firefighters, 911 dispatchers, and emergency medical technicians/paramedics employed by state or local government.

Includes volunteer firefighters meeting requirements under G.S. 58-84-5(3a) in the definition of eligible first responders.

Requires diagnosis by a health care provider who establishes with reasonable medical certainty that the posttraumatic stress disorder was caused by employment-related activities.

Mandates that employing agencies of first responders provide educational training on mental health awareness, prevention, mitigation, and treatment.

Becomes effective July 1, 2021.