Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Barrow County to enroll in ACCG IRMA coverage for first‑responder PTSD under Ashley Wilson Act
Summary
Commissioners authorized Barrow County to enroll in ACCG IRMA coverage to comply with the Ashley Wilson Act, which requires coverage for first responders with PTSD from on‑the‑job exposure; the act takes effect Jan. 1, 2025 and covers claims back to Jan. 1, 2024.
County staff asked the board to authorize enrollment in insurance coverage offered through the Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s Interlocal Risk Management Agency (ACCG IRMA) to comply with the Ashley Wilson Act. Staff said the act will require counties to provide coverage to first responders for PTSD arising from job‑related exposure and becomes effective Jan. 1, 2025, with retroactive claims coverage back to Jan. 1, 2024.
"The act requires Barrow County to provide coverage to all 1st responders suffering from PTSD as a direct result of exposure that happened on the job," the presenting staff member said. Staff explained the initial premium/cost will be covered from the human resources budget for the first six months and thereafter charged back to the departments that use the coverage. Commissioners moved and approved enrollment and authorized the chairman to sign the resolution authorizing the county manager to act as the county representative to ACCG IRMA.
