AI Explanation of SB 28

This is a production of Citizen in a Republic, which covers New Hampshire legislative politics.

Explainer on Senate Bill 28 (2025 Session)

Overview

Senate Bill 28 clarifies how to determine the “date of injury” when an emergency responder files a workers’ compensation claim for acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Under current New Hampshire law, the date of injury determines important deadlines for notice, filing claims, and eligibility for benefits. This bill ensures that emergency responders’ claims for PTSD or acute stress disorder follow the same rules used for occupational disease or cumulative trauma—rather than the usual rules that apply to single-event injuries.

What Does SB 28 Change?

  1. Current Law on PTSD Presumption (RSA 281-A:17-c)

    • In 2019, New Hampshire enacted a “presumption” that acute stress disorder and PTSD in an emergency responder is caused by work.
    • This means the responder does not need to prove their stress-related condition arose out of and in the course of employment; the law presumes it did.
    • Currently, RSA 281-A:17-c also references several other statutes (RSA 281-A:2, XI and XIII; RSA 281-A:16; RSA 281-A:27), which define “injury” or “occupational disease” and explain how to compute benefits.

  2. The “Date of Injury” for Stress Claims

    • Traditionally, determining the date of injury is straightforward for single-incident injuries (e.g., a broken arm on the job). It is usually the day of the accident.
    • However, for occupational diseases (e.g., asbestosis) or injuries caused by cumulative trauma (e.g., carpal tunnel), the law recognizes that the date of onset is not always obvious. Therefore, RSA 281-A:16 provides alternative ways to set the “date of injury,” such as:
      • The last date of exposure to a hazardous condition, or
      • The date the employee first knew or reasonably should have known of the condition’s relationship to employment, whichever is later.
      • For purely cumulative trauma injuries, the date of injury can be the date the employee first receives medical treatment.

  3. SB 28’s Key Provision

    • SB 28 amends RSA 281-A:17-c to explicitly tie the date of injury for acute stress disorder and PTSD to the same rule used for occupational disease or cumulative trauma under RSA 281-A:16.
    • In practical terms, for emergency responders who develop PTSD or acute stress disorder:
      • The date of injury might be the last day of exposure to a traumatic workplace event(s), or
      • The date on which the responder first knew (or reasonably should have known) that the PTSD or acute stress disorder was work-related, whichever is later.
      • If the condition is classified as cumulative trauma, the date of injury could also be the date of first medical treatment for that aggravation.

  4. Why This Matters

    • This clarification helps ensure that first responders who face a delayed onset of symptoms—or who only realize the connection between their mental health condition and their job after some time—are still able to file for workers’ compensation benefits.
    • It protects emergency responders who experience a variety of smaller, repeated traumas over time, or who do not fully manifest symptoms until well after the initial traumatic event.

Relevant Statutes Cited

  • RSA 281-A:2
    Defines key terms for the workers’ compensation system (e.g., “injury,” “personal injury,” “emergency response/public safety worker”). Notably, RSA 281-A:2, XI was amended to include acute stress disorder and PTSD as compensable injuries for emergency responders.

  • RSA 281-A:16
    Establishes how to determine the date of injury for occupational diseases and cumulative trauma claims. SB 28 incorporates this rule by reference for PTSD and acute stress disorder claims by emergency responders.

  • RSA 281-A:17-c
    Current law that provides a prima facie (on its face) presumption that acute stress disorder and PTSD in an emergency responder is work-related. SB 28 adds a new subsection clarifying that the date of injury for these claims follows RSA 281-A:16.

  • RSA 281-A:27
    Deals with payment for death benefits after payment for disability; it is cross-referenced in the existing PTSD presumption statute.

Practical Impact

  • Uniformity
    SB 28 aligns PTSD and acute stress disorder claims with other types of “gradual” or “long-latency” work-related injuries or illnesses.
  • Timely Filing
    Emergency responders and employers will have clearer guidance on when the clock starts for workers’ compensation filing deadlines, thus reducing confusion and potential disputes.
  • Support for Emergency Responders
    SB 28 continues the legislature’s effort to acknowledge the unique risks faced by police, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other first responders by ensuring that mental health conditions arising from traumatic events are covered.

Conclusion

Senate Bill 28 ensures that the date of injury for emergency responders’ acute stress disorder or PTSD claims uses the same approach as other occupational diseases or cumulative trauma injuries. The goal is to simplify the process, reduce ambiguity in claim filing, and help ensure first responders receive the benefits to which they are entitled under New Hampshire’s workers’ compensation law.