This section defines covered first responders and when PTSD counts as a compensable injury, plus how the injury date is determined.
Sec. 504.019. COVERAGE FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER FOR CERTAIN FIRST RESPONDERS. (a) In this section: (1) "First responder" means an individual employed by a political subdivision of this state who is: (A) a peace officer under Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure; (B) a person licensed under Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, as an emergency care attendant, emergency medical technician, emergency medical technician-intermediate, emergency medical technician-paramedic, or licensed paramedic; or (C) a firefighter subject to certification by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection under Chapter 419, Government Code, whose principal duties are firefighting and aircraft crash and rescue. (2) "Post-traumatic stress disorder" means a disorder that meets the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder specified by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, or a later edition adopted by the commissioner of workers' compensation. (b) Post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by a first responder is a compensable injury under this subtitle only if it is based on a diagnosis that: (1) the disorder is caused by one or more events occurring in the course and scope of the first responder's employment; and (2) the preponderance of the evidence indicates that the event or events were a producing cause of the disorder. (c) For purposes of this subtitle, the date of injury for post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by a first responder is the date on which the first responder first knew or should have known that the disorder may be related to the first responder's employment. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 353 (H.B. 1983), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1101 (H.B. 2143), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.131, eff. January 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER C. BENEFITS AND OFFSETS