New Jersey Adds Job Protections for First Responders Diagnosed With PTSD

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy yesterday signed into law a measure providing employment protections for paid first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder under certain conditions.

The New Jersey First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act (S2373/A2145) prohibits employers from discharging, harassing, retaliating, or otherwise discriminating against a paid first responder who requests or takes leave related to a qualifying diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The new law also guarantees that first responders who have taken PTSD leave will be restored to their prior positions once they are cleared to return to work by a mental health professional.

The bill takes effect immediately.

“Our first responders put themselves on the line daily to keep our residents safe,” said Governor Murphy. “This bill recognizes the real and lasting impact that traumatic experiences can have and ensures that first responders are treated with dignity, compassion, and fairness when they need it most.”

The act applies to a broad range of first responders, including law enforcement officers; paid firefighters; paid members of duly incorporated first aid, emergency, or rescue squad associations; paid emergency medical technicians; paid paramedics; and paid 9-1-1 first responder dispatchers.

Employers who violate the law may be subject to legal action. The bill allows employees or former employees to file an action in the Division of Workers’ Compensation where a judge may order remedies including reinstatement to employment, restoration of lost benefits and seniority rights, back pay, and other relief.

The primary sponsors of the new law were Senators James Beach and Linda Greenstein, and Assemblymembers William Moen Jr., Sterley Stanley, and Joe Danielsen.