Kentucky Lawmakers Propose Amendment for Mental Health Coverage in Workers Compensation
In a significant move to enhance the well-being of first responders, lawmakers in Kentucky are advocating for a change to the state’s workers compensation law. This proposed amendment, known as H.B. 420, was introduced on Tuesday and aims to extend coverage to mental injuries experienced by specific groups of first responders.
The bill explicitly states that for individuals such as police officers, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), frontline staff, and firefighters, an injury may encompass not only physical harm but also a “psychological, psychiatric, or stress-related change” in the human body that does not directly stem from a physical injury.
Under the proposed legislation, “frontline staff” are defined as those professionals engaged in adult or child protective services. This includes individuals conducting protective services investigations or assessments, as well as those who regularly perform interviews, home visits, and provide transportation or other necessary services to families involved in protective cases.
This amendment seeks to recognize the mental health challenges faced by those on the front lines of emergency and protective services, highlighting the need for comprehensive support for all forms of injury that can arise from their demanding roles.
