A bill designed to bring relief to Idaho’s first responders is heading to the Senate floor following a vote Thursday afternoon. The legislation would expand Idaho’s Workers’ Compensation laws to cover mental injuries suffered by police, fire and EMTs. The Senate Commerce and Human Resources committee voted unanimously to approve the bill being sponsored by Rep. Mat Erpelding of Boise. As the law stands now, Workers’ Compensation does NOT cover Idaho’s first responders for mental injuries – like PTSD or depression – unless they are accompanied by a physical injury. Erpelding’s legislation aims to address the very dangerous psychological injuries our first responders deal with on a daily basis. Nationwide last year, more police and firefighters committed suicide than were killed in the line of duty.