Bill to Support Public Safety Officials through Traumatic Events Heads to Governor’s Desk

A bill to support public safety professionals after a traumatic on-the-job event passed the House on Tuesday.

The bill, Senate Bill 507 A, allows for public safety officials with job duties relating to firefighting, police, ambulance, or emergency medical services take time to recover under workers compensation benefits in the event of trauma related to death, disability, or impairment of health.

Representative Williams (D-Hood River) shared an emotional story on the House floor as she carried the bill and affirmed the need for the bill, “as a social worker who has worked with many trauma survivors throughout my career, I recognize signs of trauma in nearly every one of these public servants. They deserve our support in coping with the hard things they face as they do their job to support our community.”

SB 507 A had been modified from its original, more broad reaching version through the Management-Labor Advisory Committee (MLAC), a committee designed for business and labor to meet, discuss and resolve issues surrounding the workers’ compensation system.

Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) supports the final bill. For questions, please contact AOC Legislative Affairs Manager, Patrick Sieng.

The bill passed the Senate on a 26-2 vote and the House unanimously. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for her signature.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate