Jacque Proposal Incorporated Into Comprehensive Workers Compensation Package

MADISON, WI…An initiative championed by State Sen. André Jacque (New Franken) to extend Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) coverage to volunteer and part-time firefighters and other emergency first responders was signed into law today by Governor Tony Evers as Act 145.

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.  Both before and since then, Jacque has also authored legislation and interacted with the state’s Workers Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) in an effort to also extend PTSD workers compensation coverage to emergency medical responders, EMS practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners, and medical examiners and their staff.

“Responding to a horrific accident or medical emergency can result in long term trauma for those involved,” said Jacque.  “But post-traumatic stress can be treated very effectively, allowing those affected to receive healing and return to protecting and serving the public.”

Authored at the beginning of session, Senator Jacque’s initiative to extend PTSD coverage to part-time and volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders was later incorporated into a comprehensive plan introduced at the request of the WCAC and Sen. Jacque last November, Assembly Bill 651, which was developed as a result of deliberations between a broad range of interests, including Wisconsin Manufacturers and the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. 

“Extending PTSD coverage is an issue of fairness,” said Jacque.  “Community heroes who have given so much of themselves and need healing because of their service deserve our support, and I am excited to see this critical care extended to those to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude.”

Firefighter organizations along with labor and business groups came forward to support this change to state law, which included the Wisconsin EMS Association, Wisconsin State Firefighter’s Association, the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance and many other groups.

Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door and Kewaunee Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.