SB 394: Provide for workers' compensation coverage of PTSD for first responders - Montana

SB0394_X(4).pdf → SB0394_X(5).pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated to expand the definition of 'disorder for first responders' to include emergency care providers, alongside existing categories like law enforcement and detention staff. This change broadens the scope of who qualifies for the specific protections and benefits outlined in the legislation. Additionally, the document was formatted as an enrolled bill, indicating it has passed the legislature and is ready for signature.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include emergency care providers as eligible first responders, whereas the previous version only listed law enforcement and detention center employees.

ELIGIBILITY

Emergency care providers are now explicitly included in the list of first responders eligible for the disorder protections.

The previous line item for detention center employees was removed, likely because it was merged or renumbered during the amendment process.

DEFINITION

The definition of an emergency care provider was inserted to reference the specific legal definition found in 50-6-202(2).

TECHNICAL

The document text was updated to reflect the final 'Enrolled Bill' status with corrected page headers and section numbering.

SB0394_3(15).pdf → SB0394_X.pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands Montana's workers' compensation system to cover posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, and detention center employees. It establishes a specific definition for 'first responder' and requires a formal PTSD diagnosis based on the 2025 edition of the DSM. The changes clarify that these claims are compensable if the injury arises from the responder's employment duties.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general stress claims to specifically include PTSD for defined categories of first responders, creating a new exception to the state's general rule against compensating mental-mental claims.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new section granting compensable workers' compensation claims for PTSD specifically to first responders.

DEFINITION

Defined 'first responder' to include firefighters, law enforcement officers, county detention center or prison employees, and emergency care providers.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the PTSD diagnosis must be based on the DSM manual as published by July 1, 2025.

Amended the public policy section to explicitly recognize the public service of first responders and allow for presumptive occupational disease recognition for stress-related conditions.

SB0394_X(2).pdf → SB0394_3(10).pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect its progression through the legislative process, including changes to the bill number and formatting. Substantively, the definition of a 'first responder' was modified to capitalize specific terms and change a connector word from 'an' to 'any', while the core policy allowing PTSD coverage for first responders and the statutory amendments remain unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain the same; the changes are primarily editorial and formatting updates to the text.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was updated from 'SB 394' to 'SB0394.3' to reflect its version in the legislative process.

The phrase 'THAT IS IN PUBLICATION AS OF JULY 1, 2025' was changed to all capital letters within the definition of PTSD diagnosis criteria.

DEFINITION

In the definition of 'first responder', the phrase 'an emergency care provider' was changed to 'ANY EMERGENCY CARE PROVIDER' (all caps) and the connector 'an' was changed to 'any'.

SB0394_3(9).pdf → SB0394_X(1).pdf · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands workers' compensation coverage to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for specific first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, and prison employees. It establishes a new definition for 'first responder' and sets a specific diagnostic standard requiring a PTSD diagnosis according to the DSM-5-TR, effective July 1, 2025. The legislation also amends existing public policy sections to clarify that these mental health claims are compensable exceptions to the general rule against 'mental-mental' claims.

Scope change

The bill's scope is expanded from a general exclusion of stress claims to include a specific, limited category of first responders who suffer PTSD arising from their employment duties.

ELIGIBILITY

First responders (firefighters, law enforcement, and detention/prison employees) are now eligible for workers' compensation benefits if diagnosed with PTSD.

DEFINITION

A new legal definition of 'first responder' was created to specify exactly which job titles qualify for coverage.

REQUIREMENT

A mandatory requirement was added that the PTSD diagnosis must be based on the DSM-5-TR edition published as of July 1, 2025.

Existing public policy sections were amended to explicitly allow PTSD claims for first responders as an exception to the standard rules against mental-mental claims.

TIMELINE

The new coverage and diagnostic standards become effective on July 1, 2025.

SB0394_3(3).pdf → SB0394_3(4).pdf · 1 edit

MINOR

The amendment corrects a formatting error in the list of authorized emergency responders by removing an unintended line break. This change ensures the text remains readable and legally clear without altering the substantive list of who qualifies as an emergency care provider.

TECHNICAL

Removed an accidental line break in subsection (d)(C) that split the phrase 'professional capacity' across two lines, restoring the text to a continuous, standard format.

SB0394_2(11).pdf → SB0394_3.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill number was updated from SB 394.2 to SB 394.3, indicating a revision in the legislative process. The definition of authorized emergency responders was modified to explicitly include 'OR' between categories, clarifying that multiple roles can apply. Additionally, a specific reference to 'EMERGENCY CARE PROVIDER' was added to the list of authorized persons, expanding the scope of who is recognized under this statute.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include emergency care providers as authorized persons responding to emergencies.

DEFINITION

Added 'OR' between law enforcement officers and county detention employees to clarify that these roles are not mutually exclusive.

ELIGIBILITY

Added 'EMERGENCY CARE PROVIDER AS DEFINED IN 50-6-202(2)' to the list of authorized persons who respond to emergencies.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill identifier from SB0394.2 to SB0394.3 to reflect the version number.

SB0394_1(5).pdf → SB0394_2.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from SB 394.1 to SB 394.2 and updated its title to include an 'applicability date' in addition to an effective date. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a specific publication date (July 1, 2025) to the definition of posttraumatic stress disorder, ensuring the diagnosis relies on the DSM edition available by that time. A new definition was also added to clarify that 'first responders' include emergency care providers as defined in another statute.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by explicitly adding 'emergency care providers' to the list of eligible first responders.

TIMELINE

The bill title was updated to include an 'applicability date' alongside the effective date.

DEFINITION

The definition of posttraumatic stress disorder was updated to require diagnosis according to the DSM edition published as of July 1, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

The definition of 'first responder' was expanded to include 'emergency care providers' as defined in 50-6-202(2).

LC3228.pdf → SB0394_1.pdf · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from LC 3228 to SB 394 and the sponsor list was updated to reflect the current legislators. The substantive text regarding workers' compensation for PTSD in first responders remains identical, with no changes to eligibility criteria, definitions, or legal requirements.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was changed from LC 3228 to SB 394, and the list of primary sponsors was updated to include current legislators.

Provide for workers' compensation coverage of PTSD for first responders

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