Montana HB552: Revise worker's compensation law to cover PTSD for first responders and others

What the bill says

A bill for an act entitled: "an act generally revising workers' compensation laws to provide insurance coverage for posttraumatic stress disorder for certain workers; applying coverage to first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, employees of a county detention center or prison, and other authorized persons who respond to an emergency in a professional capacity; amending sections 39-71-105, 39-71-116, and 39-71-119, mca; and providing an effective date and an applicability date.".

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS TO PROVIDE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER FOR CERTAIN WORKERS; APPLYING COVERAGE TO FIRST RESPONDERS, INCLUDING FIREFIGHTERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OF A COUNTY DETENTION CENTER OR PRISON, AND OTHER AUTHORIZED PERSONS WHO RESPOND TO AN EMERGENCY IN A PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY; AMENDING SECTIONS 39-71-105, 39-71-116, AND 39-71-119, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND AN APPLICABILITY DATE." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: NEW SECTION. Section 1. Coverage for posttraumatic stress disorder. (1) A first responder may have a compensable claim under Montana's workers' compensation and occupational disease laws relating to posttraumatic stress disorder as provided in this section. (2) The first responder must be diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, according to the most recent edition THAT IS IN PUBLICATION AS OF JULY 1, 2025, of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American psychiatric association at the time of the diagnosis. The diagnosis for posttraumatic stress disorder must find that the injury or occupational disease is caused by an event or events that arise out of the course and scope of employment of the first responder but not a personnel-related action, including but not limited to disciplinary action, changes in duty, job evaluation, or employment termination. …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Reavis, James (D, 47) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 20, 2025: (H) Died in Process
2. March 12, 2025: (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal
3. March 4, 2025: (H) Revised Fiscal Note Received
4. March 3, 2025: (H) Motion
5. March 3, 2025: (H) Tabled in Committee
6. March 3, 2025: (H) Hearing
7. March 3, 2025: (H) Rereferred to Committee
8. March 3, 2025: (H) 2nd Reading
9. March 3, 2025: (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
10. March 1, 2025: (H) Revised Fiscal Note Requested

Votes

• Take HB 552 From APH to 3rd Reading - Lee (March 3, 2025): 51 yea, 47 nay, passed
• Do Pass (March 3, 2025): 55 yea, 43 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB552?

HB552 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise worker's compensation law to cover PTSD for first responders and others.

What does HB552 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act generally revising workers' compensation laws to provide insurance coverage for posttraumatic stress disorder for certain workers; applying coverage to first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, employees of a county detention center or prison, and other authorized persons who respond to an emergency in a professional capacity; amending sections 39-71-105, 39-71-116, and 39-71-119, mca; and providing an effective date and an applicability date.".

What is the status of HB552?

Failed as of May 20, 2025. Latest action: (H) Died in Process (May 20, 2025).

Who sponsored HB552?

Reavis, James (D, 47).

Where is the official record for HB552?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1564