ND HB1317

Adds posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a compensable injury under workers' compensation for full-time paid first responders (firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical services personnel).

Requires the employment event causing PTSD be determined with reasonable medical certainty to be at least 50 percent of the cause compared to all other contributing causes, and the condition must not preexist the employment event.

Requires PTSD diagnosis by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist meeting criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in effect on the effective date or a subsequent edition.

Excludes PTSD claims resulting from normal employer-employee relations including disciplinary actions, work evaluations, transfers, promotions, demotions, salary reviews, or terminations.

Limits disability benefits to 26 weeks maximum and all other benefits to a maximum of $15,000; applies to injuries occurring on or after the effective date; expires July 31, 2017.