Committee advances bill to add ‘witnessing serious injury’ as qualifying event for PTSI coverage, with caveats

House Bill 5279, considered March 12, would add "witnessing a serious physical injury" to the list of qualifying events for workers' compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI). Committee members agreed on the goal—extending coverage to traumatized workers—but disagreed on how broadly the statute should be written.

Representative Canino and Senator Samson both praised the intent but warned the language could be overly broad. "If I'm at work and I witness a heart attack or a car crash outside a business, that could be described as a serious physical injury," Representative Canino said, cautioning that an expansive definition could create numerous claims based on subjective diagnoses. Members emphasized the statute’s reliance on a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist to diagnose PTSI, but questioned whether that safeguard is sufficient to prevent speculative claims.

Supporters pointed to precedents expanding PTSD-related coverage in past years and said the workers' compensation commissioners already apply causation standards (the qualifying event must be a substantial factor in causing the injury). Opponents urged narrower language or guardrails to avoid unexpected costs to the workers' compensation fund.

After discussion, the committee voted to JF the bill to the floor, recording several no votes; members said they would continue working on precise definitions and on ensuring reliable diagnostic standards and administrative safeguards.