Conn. Bill Would Require PTSD Claims Coverage to Help First Responders

The co-chairman of a state legislative committee in Connecticut says the panel plans to introduce a bill allowing claims of posttraumatic stress disorder to be covered under Connecticut’s workers’ compensation laws, in response to the Newtown school shootings.

Democratic Sprague Sen. Cathy Osten says the Labor and Public Employees Committee will introduce the bill in the coming days.

Newtown’s Board of Police Commissioners is asking legislators to change the workers’ compensation laws to provide appropriate benefits to police officers and others who’ve suffered physical and emotional injuries “as a consequence of their heroic efforts” on the job.

The Newtown police union said some officers who responded to the deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School are too traumatized to work and have relied on sick time or donations to covers their salaries.