Georgia lawmakers are praising the movement of legislation which would require public entities to require PTSD insurance coverage for first responders.
State Representative J Collins of Villa Rica, who also serves as the chairman of the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, applauded the work of State Representative Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta) and the members of the committee for recently passing House Bill 451 out of committee. This bill would require public entities to provide supplemental, illness-specific insurance to certain first responders diagnosed with occupational post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“House Bill 451 is a pioneering piece of legislation that is much needed to support Georgia’s first responders who are struggling with PTSD,” said Chairman Collins. “Our first responders and public safety officials are often the first to arrive at an emergency scene, and their experiences can have a lasting impact on their mental health. We must ensure that our first responders are given ample opportunities to receive treatment, if necessary, and this legislation aims to do just that. I am proud to see this crucial bill receive bipartisan support in our committee and look forward to continuing the work this session to send the bill to the governor’s desk.”
“PTSD is an extremely debilitating condition that impacts Georgia’s first responders every day,” said Rep. Seabaugh. “As a first responder myself, I know first-hand the challenges our first responders face, and it is my hope that this legislation will give Georgia’s first responders the chance to get the help they need. I am eager to continue to push this much needed bill through the legislative process.”
“As a member of the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, I am proud to support this necessary legislation that will extend insurance coverage to first responders struggling with PTSD,” said State Representative Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert). “We cannot overstate the important role of Georgia’s first responders. First responders risk their lives each day to save our own, and I applaud the work of the committee and my colleague Rep. Seabaugh and look forward to supporting this bill on the House floor in the coming weeks.”
HB 451 would require a public entity to provide supplemental, illness-specific insurance to certain first responders diagnosed with occupational PTSD. The bill now awaits consideration in the House Rules committee and before being scheduled for a vote on the House Floor.
The full text of HB 451 may be found here.
Representative J. Collins represents the citizens of District 71, which includes portions of Carroll County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves as Chairman of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
Representative Devan Seabaugh represents the citizens of District 34, which includes portions of Cobb County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2021 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Industry & Labor Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health. He also serves on the Code Revision, Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public Health and Transportation committees.
Representative Gerald Greene represents the citizens of District 154, which includes Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Early, Miller, Quitman, Randolph and Seminole counties, as well as portions of Dougherty County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and currently serves as Chairman of the State Properties Committee and Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development. He also serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Retirement, Rules, Special Rules and Urban Affairs committees.
