A pair of southwest Ohio lawmakers want any workers compensation claims for a first responder’s post-traumatic stress disorder to be paid from the state’s unclaimed funds program.
A bill submitted for introduction by Ohio Reps. George Lang, R-West Chester Twp., and Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg, offers an alternative proposal to the first responder PTSD bill overwhelmingly supported last month by the Ohio House. The bill will be formally introduced at the Ohio House’s next session on March 24.The bill would provide full coverage for PTSD without an accompanying injury under the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) but the $44 million startup costs for PTSD coverage would be paid for by the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Unclaimed Funds.