SAINT PAUL, MN – On Thursday, Rep. Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River, successfully offered an amendment to the Omnibus Supplemental Finance Bill, SF3656. The amendment to recognize Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as an “occupational disease” in Minnesota statute was adopted on a unanimous vote of 124-0.
If signed into law, the language would allow firefighters, police officers, and paramedics diagnosed with PTSD the presumption that the diagnosis is a work-related illness.
“Today’s vote in favor of my amendment shows a significant bipartisan commitment to taking care of emergency responders,” said Zerwas. “This is a common sense provision to aid our first responders who may suffer from a serious mental health condition like PTSD. I’ve heard from a number of firefighters, police officers, and many others who support this language to modernize our state laws relating to mental health of first responders.”
###