At their Oct. 5 meeting, Berea City Council members unanimously approved a resolution in support of House Bill 308, a measure to provide assistance to first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The legislation, commonly known as the First Responders PTSD Benefits Bill, has been approved by the Ohio House of Representatives and is sponsored by state Rep. Tom Patton, a Republican representing District 7. Council’s resolution urges the Ohio General Assembly to quickly enact H.B. 308. “This bill will allow first responders, including peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical workers who suffer from PTSD acquired on the job and due to their employment, to be eligible to receive compensation and benefits, whether or not they possess accompanying physical injuries,” the Berea resolution indicates.