A bill that sought to let emergency workers collect worker’s compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder failed in a Senate committee Wednesday.
PTSD is not covered under current worker’s comp laws for professions like police officers or firefighters. That’s because stress is considered to be part of those jobs.
Sandra Edwards, who spoke in favor of the bill, said her husband is a Denver Police Department veteran who suffered a mental health breakdown last month.
"I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that I will do whatever it takes to see that this does not continue to happen to other officers and their families," she said.
Members of the Republican-controlled committee said the Democratic bill was too broad because it would allow any worker to file a PTSD claim, not just emergency personnel.
