Rep. Brown Praises Passage of House Bill 308 Extending Coverage for PTSD to First Responders
Assistant Minority Whip Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today joined colleagues in applauding the passage of House Bill 308, which would allow first responders diagnosed with work-related PTSD in the absence of any physical injury to qualify for BWC compensation and benefits, something Democrats have prioritized in recent General Assemblies.
“I think this is one of the most important bills to come before this body in my time here and it must be passed,” said Brown.
The bill’s language was originally included in the 2019 BWC budget bill, but was stripped out by the Senate and subsequently revived in House Bill 308.
Acknowledging the long legal precedent that the Workers Compensation system is the sole system for on the job injuries, Brown stated that the bill will, “Bring Ohio’s workers Comp Act into the 21st century in order to protect employees against the risks and hazards incident to the performance of their duties.”
House Bill 308 now heads to the Senate for further consideration.