132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 82 LR 39(02)
An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Laws by Extending Indefinitely the Presumption Applying to Law Enforcement Officers, Corrections Officers, E-9-1-1 Dispatchers, Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services Persons Diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Labor
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
State Mandate - Exempted
Potential current biennium cost increase - All funds
State Mandates
Required Activity Unit Affected Local Cost
Making permanent the requirement that shifts the burden of proof that a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical services worker, corrections officer or E-9-1-1 dispatcher diagnosed as having post-traumatic stress disorder by a psychiatrist or psychologist developed that condition as a result of work stress from the claimant to the employer and/or the employer's insurer may continue to necessitate a more vigorous and costly legal defense by municipalities and counties and potentially increase the number of cases lost. Municipality
County
Significant statewide
Pursuant to the Mandate Preamble, the two-thirds vote of all members elected to each House exempts the State from the constitutional requirement to fund 90% of the additional costs.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This legislation may also result in additional costs to the State as a direct reimbursement employer and to the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Corrections associated with increased payments of workers' compensation benefits and legal and administrative expenses.  The impact will depend on actual experience.