Bulloch County Commissioners voted Tuesday morning to approve a supplemental program for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-related disabilities for first responders employed by the county.
During the 2024 session, the Georgia legislature approved House Bill 451, known as the Ashley Wilson Act, requiring all public entities in Georgia to offer a supplemental benefit program for first responders who are diagnosed with PTSD as a result of line of duty exposure to traumatic events.
The program must be available beginning January 1, 2025.
This impacts communications officers, emergency medical professionals, firefighters (paid and volunteer), jail officers, peace officers, correctional officers, emergency medical technicians, and probation officers. 385 county employees will be eligible under the act.
Benefits available under the Act include two types of coverage, each of which can be accessed once per lifetime:
- A $3000 lump-sum benefit paid following diagnosis of occupational PTSD; and
- A long-term disability benefit of 60% of monthly pay (maximum $5000 per month) for up to 36 months (following a 90 day period of disability).
The Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) has partnered with MetLife insurance company to offer the required coverage to its members. The cost for participation is based on the number of eligible employees.
Bulloch County has received a price quotation, based on current employee census data, of $53,370.00. This price includes both of the required benefits – lump sum and long-term disability – and complies with the requirements of the Ashley Wilson Act.
Staff recommended that the County accept this proposal and apply for participation in the ACCG First Responder PTSD Program.
County staff told commissioners that they became aware of another independent broker working on the program, but it is not yet up and running. It was the position of county staff that given the deadline for compliance and the negotiating power of ACCG by handling the program for member counties around the state, that ACCG was the best option.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
