NJ A2145

Prohibits public employers from discharging, harassing, discriminating, or retaliating against paid first responders who take leave for a qualifying post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis related to their duties.

Requires employers to reinstate first responders to their prior position after PTSD-related leave once a mental health professional documents fitness to return to work.

Qualifies PTSD diagnoses through either a Workers' Compensation Division order or a mental health professional's determination that the disorder arose from experiencing, witnessing, or vicarious trauma from job duties.

Establishes civil fines of $5,000 for first violations and $10,000 for subsequent violations, with actions to be filed in the Division of Workers' Compensation within one year.

Defines covered first responders as paid law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, first aid/rescue squad members, and 9-1-1 dispatchers employed by public entities.