TRENTON, N.J. — Legislation to provide job protections for paid first responders diagnosed with work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was advanced Thursday by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
The bill, S-2373, is sponsored by Sen. James Beach (D-Camden/Burlington) and Committee Chair Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). It aims to prevent employers from penalizing or threatening to penalize first responders who take leave to seek treatment for PTSD.
“First responders face unimaginable stress and trauma daily in service of the public good,” Beach said. “This bill recognizes the mental health challenges they endure and makes sure that these invaluable public servants never have to choose between their livelihood and their own well-being.”
Under the legislation, employers must reinstate employees to their previous position and duties after PTSD-related leave, provided a licensed physician or mental health professional determines they are fit to return to work.
“This legislation serves a promise to stand with our first responders in their time of need,” Greenstein said. “It is time we acknowledge and work to remove the stigma around mental health for the individuals who work so tirelessly to keep our communities safe.”
A PTSD diagnosis would qualify if a licensed professional finds that the condition was caused by experiencing, witnessing, or being exposed to traumatic events during regular or assigned duties. The bill covers paid law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, 9-1-1 dispatchers, and members of recognized emergency services.
The legislation defines key terms such as “employee,” “employer,” and “first responder” to ensure clarity in implementation.
