S 306

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1S.306
2 Introduced by Senators Major, Clarkson, Hardy, Mattos, Perchlik, Plunkett,
3Weeks and White
4 Referred to Committee on
5 Date:
6 Subject: Internal security and public safety; emergency management; first
7responders in communications; labor; workers’ compensation; post-
8traumatic stress disorder
9 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to define public
10 safety dispatchers and emergency services dispatchers as first responders in
11 communications and to provide workers’ compensation benefits for post-
12 traumatic stress disorder incurred during service in the line of duty as a first
13 responder in communications.
14    An act relating to first responders in communications
15 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
16 Sec. 1. PURPOSE
17    The purpose of this act is to give formal recognition and validation to public
18 safety and emergency services dispatchers, whose work in responding to
19 emergencies is critical and often traumatic, by providing access to benefits
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1 more traditionally associated with first responders, such as training
2 opportunities and access to mental health supports.
3 Sec. 2. 20 V.S.A. chapter 161 is added to read:
4      CHAPTER 161. FIRST RESPONDERS IN COMMUNICATIONS
5 § 2461. DEFINITIONS
6    “First responder in communications” means any individual who is currently
7 or formerly certified by the Vermont Enhanced 911 Board as a 911 call taker, a
8 public safety dispatcher, public safety telecommunicator, emergency operator,
9 or emergency telecommunicator, or who is employed as an emergency
10 communications dispatcher providing service for an emergency provider
11 organization. A first responder in communications is responsible for the
12 administration or supervision of lifesaving communication services for
13 emergency situations.
14 § 2462. TRAINING
15    To the extent practicable, employers of a first responder in communications
16 shall provide training to maintain and enhance the knowledge, skills, and
17 proficiency of the first responder in communications.
18 Sec. 3. 21 V.S.A. § 601 is amended to read:
19 § 601. DEFINITIONS
20    As used in this chapter:
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1(11) “Personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of
2 employment” includes an injury caused by the willful act of a third person
3 directed against an employee because of that employment.
4***
5(I)(i) In the case of police officers, rescue or ambulance workers,
6 firefighters, or State employees, as that term is defined pursuant to subdivision
7 (iii)(VI) of this subdivision (11)(I), or first responders in communications, as
8 that term is defined pursuant to subdivision (iii)(VII) of this subdivision
9 (11)(I), post-traumatic stress disorder that is diagnosed by a mental health
10 professional shall be presumed to have been incurred during service in the line
11 of duty and shall be compensable, unless it is shown by a preponderance of the
12 evidence that the post-traumatic stress disorder was caused by nonservice-
13 connected risk factors or nonservice-connected exposure.
14(ii) A police officer, rescue or ambulance worker, firefighter, or
15 State employee, or first responder in communications who is diagnosed with
16 post-traumatic stress disorder within three years following the last active date
17 of employment as a police officer, rescue or ambulance worker, firefighter, or
18 State employee, or first responder in communications shall be eligible for
19 benefits under this subdivision (11).
20(iii) As used in this subdivision (11)(I):
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1(VII) “First responder in communications” means an individual
2 as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 2461.
3***
4 Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
5   This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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