Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands workers' compensation coverage to include mental injuries sustained by specific employees as result of an extraordinary event that occurs while on the job after June 30, 2009 and before July 1, 2011.

Highlights:

- Expands workers' compensation coverage to include mental injuries sustained as a result of an extraordinary event on the job for the following (Sec. 1):

- Employees in the North American Industry Classification Subsector 922: The Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities subsector groups government establishments engaged in the administration of justice, public order, and safety programs; and - Volunteer firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and ambulance personnel.

- Requires there be a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder by a licensed psychiatrist or clinical psychologist using criteria established in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (Sec. 1). - Specifies that benefits provided for a mental injury shall be payable for up to 12 months after the date of diagnosis and shall be limited to medical and hospital care and temporary total disability (Sec. 1). - Specifies that if a combination of employment related and non-employment related events contributed to the mental injury, it shall be compensable only if it is caused primarily by the work related event (Sec. 1). - This bill is sponsored by the Select Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Full Bill Text