By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed the First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act into law on Jan. 14, providing job protections for paid first responders who take PTSD-related leave.
• The law bars employers from discharging, retaliating against, harassing or otherwise discriminating against a paid first responder for requesting or taking leave tied to a qualifying PTSD diagnosis.
• Covered first responders include firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs/paramedics, 911 dispatchers and members of certain rescue squads.
• Employers must reinstate covered workers to their prior position and duties once a mental health professional certifies they are fit to return.
• The law allows current or former employees to file civil actions for violations, with potential remedies including fines and reinstatement.
TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey’s governor has signed into law a statute designed to protect paid first responders from employer retaliation when they request or take leave related to post-traumatic stress disorder.
The First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act, effective upon enactment, prohibits employers from discharging, harassing, retaliating against or otherwise discriminating against paid first responders because they sought or took leave associated with a qualifying PTSD diagnosis.
Under the law, covered first responders include firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, members of duly incorporated first aid or rescue squads, and 911 dispatchers.
Employers also are required to reinstate a first responder to their prior position and duties once a mental health professional certifies that the individual is fit to return to work.
Current or former employees who believe an employer has violated the statute may file a civil action in the state Division of Workers’ Compensation, with remedies that can include reinstatement, fines and recovery of lost wages and benefits.
State and first responder leaders said the law aims to reduce stigma and ensure job protections for personnel who face psychological impacts from occupational trauma.