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Demorest council agrees to adopt mandated PTSD diagnosis benefit for first responders
Summary
After reviewing a GMA/GIRMA proposal tied to House Bill 451, the council directed staff to adopt the mandated minimum PTSD diagnosis benefit for police and fire personnel now and asked the city manager to research raising the benefit limit.
Mayor Jerry Harkness and the Demorest City Council directed staff on Feb. 4 to adopt the state-mandated minimum PTSD diagnosis benefit for first responders and to research higher benefit options.
Chief Scheuerer presented the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) / GIRMA proposal implementing requirements of House Bill 451, which mandates two coverage components for municipalities with police or fire: a lifetime lump-sum PTSD diagnosis benefit and a lifetime PTSD disability benefit. The diagnosis benefit options presented were $3,000 (the mandated minimum), $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000; the estimated annual premium for the disability component for all first responders was $1,871.
The council asked City Manager Mark Musselwhite to proceed with the mandated coverage at the minimum level and to research whether the city should increase the lump-sum limit. Chief Scheuerer framed the change as a statutory requirement and summarized the three higher benefit options available should the city choose to expand coverage later.
The decision addresses the city’s immediate compliance responsibilities under House Bill 451; council members signaled support for starting at the mandated level while leaving open a future amendment if budget or actuarial review supports it.
No formal ordinance or vote adopting the higher limits was recorded during the session; council directed staff to return with recommendations.
