NY A02485

First responders (firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel) employed by the state, public authorities, or municipal corporations who are diagnosed with PTSD by a licensed psychiatrist may request line of duty sick leave

PTSD must arise from the performance of the first responder's duties, and leave begins from the diagnosis date with compensation at the employee's regular rate of pay

Line of duty sick leave for PTSD does not count against the first responder's accrued sick leave or vacation leave

Employers are prohibited from taking adverse personnel actions (discipline, discharge, suspension, demotion, or discrimination) against first responders who utilize or request this leave

The state must reimburse public authorities and municipal corporations with populations under one million for the cost of this leave, and current employees already using sick leave for PTSD will have that leave retroactively restored