Jim Rosica
Without debate, the Florida Senate on Saturday unanimously passed a bill to expand workers’ compensation benefits to first responders who suffer job-related post-traumatic stress disorder.
The measure (SB 376) was among several added to a rare weekend sitting to handle pending school safety legislation. That’s in response to last month’s deadly shooting at Broward County’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The 33-0 vote sends the first responders bill, carried by Democratic Sen. Lauren Book, to the House. A similar companion measure (HB 227) there also is ready for a vote.
The legislation is a priority of Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, also the state’s Fire Marshal.
“The stories we’ve heard over the past few months from first responders, their families and loved ones have been stories of strength that propelled this measure forward,” he said in a Saturday statement.
“Today we approach the finish line and are one step closer to ensuring first responders get access to the mental health benefits they deserve,” Patronis added.
The Florida League of Cities previously dropped its opposition to the proposal; because cities and counties in Florida employ almost all first responders, they will incur almost all of the costs of the benefit.
