WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 5619

Allows first responders who are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder to request line of duty sick leave

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Ashby and 1 co-sponsor

Allows PTSD-diagnosed first responders to request line-of-duty sick leave for treatment and safe return to duty.

REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 5619

Summary of Bill S 5619

Overview

S 5619, titled "Allows first responders who are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder to request line of duty sick leave," is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. Introduced on February 26, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Local Government committee. The sponsor is Jake Ashby (primary), with Mark Walczyk listed as a cosponsor. Related companion and prior-session bills exist (e.g., A 2485, A 4646, A 3701; S 4255). This summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose based on the title and available metadata; the full text would specify the precise provisions.

What the bill would do (purpose)

  • Establish a mechanism for first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to request line-of-duty sick leave.
  • The goal appears to be enabling affected first responders to access targeted time off to address PTSD-related health needs, with the aim of supporting treatment, recovery, and safe return to duty.

Key provisions (subject to the bill’s text)

Note: The exact language and specifications are not provided here. Possible provisions that such a bill would typically address include (and would be confirmed in the enacted text):
- Eligibility: Which workers qualify (e.g., police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, corrections officers, other recognized first responders).
- Leave authorization: Whether PTSD-line-of-duty leave is a separate category from ordinary sick leave, including how requests are initiated (e.g., medical certification), and whether leave is paid.
- Duration and limits: Maximum days or weeks of line-of-duty PTSD leave available, and any limits per incident or per year.
- Certification and privacy: Requirements for medical documentation, and protections for the privacy of psychiatric information.
- Return-to-work: Conditions for resuming duties and any necessary accommodations.
- Protections: Anti-retaliation or anti-discrimination provisions for individuals who use the leave.
- Interaction with other benefits: How this leave interacts with existing sick leave, family medical leave, disability programs, or pension/retirement benefits.
- Funding and cost considerations: Whether the program is funded at the state or local level and any cost-sharing arrangements.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: First responders diagnosed with PTSD who are employed by local or state agencies.
  • Employers: Municipal and local governments, police and fire departments, EMS services, and other agencies employing first responders.
  • Employees and unions: Potential impacts on leave policies, staffing, and collective bargaining agreements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 26, 2025.
  • Latest action: Referred to Local Government on February 26, 2025 (listed twice in the record).
  • Status: In committee consideration (Local Government), with potential for amendments and subsequent votes.
  • Related legislation: Companion and related bills (A 2485, A 4646, A 3701; S 4255) indicate ongoing interest in PTSD-related leave across both houses in prior sessions.

Next steps and how to monitor

  • Await the bill’s text for precise definitions, eligibility criteria, leave quantities, and funding details.
  • Monitor Local Government committee actions (hearing schedules, amendments, votes).
  • Review related companion bills for parallel provisions or differences.
  • Assess fiscal impact analyses and potential implementation timelines if the bill advances.

If you want, I can adjust this summary to align with the exact text once the official bill language is released.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.