Senate Bill 601 Summary

• Establishes a supplemental insurance policy administered by the Department of Insurance to provide mental health benefits to eligible first responders including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, 911 dispatchers, detention officers, correctional officers, probation officers, and volunteer firefighters

• Covers eligible mental conditions including anxiety disorders, conduct disorders, depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, sleep-wake disorders, and trauma and stressor-related disorders diagnosed by a health care provider and caused by employment activities as a first responder

• Provides three benefit types: reimbursement of up to $5,000 per 12-month period for out-of-pocket medical expenses; monthly salary benefit of 75% of salary or $5,000 (whichever is less) for up to 12 workweeks per 12-month period when treatment requires leave; and disability benefits beginning six months after total disability

• Limits disability benefits to a maximum of 36 consecutive months, with monthly payments of 75% of salary or $5,000 for full-time responders (or $1,500 for volunteer firefighters), and allows reevaluation to determine if responders can return to duty

• Becomes effective January 1, 2024