MADISON, WI…Following negotiations between labor and management, the Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) has developed consensus legislation to improve the workers compensation system in Wisconsin. Among changes to the system incorporated into the bill include components of Senate Bill 168, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) workers compensation coverage for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personal authored by Senator André Jacque (New Franken), and fraud detection improvements.
Two sessions ago, Wisconsin enacted 2021 Act 29, authored by Sen. Jacque, to provide PTSD workers compensation coverage for law enforcement and full-time firefighters. In the time since, Jacque has continued proposing legislation to extend PTSD workers compensation coverage to emergency medical responders, EMS practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners, and medical examiners and their staff.
“Emergency responders, volunteer firefighters and many others witness truly harrowing events and bodily injuries while serving the public in life and death situations,” said Jacque. “I am happy to see medical coverage deservingly extended to more of those responding to emergency situations or dealing with the aftereffects.”
The plan was developed as a result of deliberations between a broad range of interests, including Wisconsin Manufacturers and the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. It currently has the support of the Wisconsin EMS Association, Wisconsin State Firefighter’s Association, Wisconsin Assisted Living Association and Wisconsin Independent Businesses. The proposal was officially introduced last month as Assembly Bill 651/Senate Bill 676.
“This legislation is about fairness. The heroes within our communities who have given of themselves and are in need of healing as a consequence of their experiences deserve our support, and I hope to see this legislation quickly move to the governor’s desk,” said Jacque.
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door, Kewaunee and Calumet Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
