Last week, Rep. Joe McGonagle testified before the Joint Committee on Public Service in favor of his bill, H2594 – An Act relative to the disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). H2594 would grant disability to first responders who are unable to work due to PTSD presumed to have been obtained in the line of duty by a medical professional certified to diagnose mental conditions. This is the second session Rep. McGonagle has filed this bill.
“Our first responders are increasingly being faced with more and more disturbing and violent situations,” said McGonagle. “They put their lives on the line to protect all of us and our communities and we need to take a step to protect them. We live in an age where we better understand mental health and the intricacies of our brains. We also know PTSD is a real and devastating disease. We as a Commonwealth already support first responders with cancers and lung diseases presumed to be from the line of duty. This is no different and we are doing our brothers and sisters a great disservice if we do not pass this legislation.”
H2594 is heavily supported by the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) though the bill covers an array of first responders aside from firefighters. The bill remains in the Joint Committee on Public Service as it awaits a report from the Committee.
Everett Massachusetts Newspaper
