Oklahoma bill expands PTSD coverage for first responders’ protection

A new bill introduced in the Oklahoma House of Representatives aims to expand the procedural and medical protections for first responders suffering from work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while also requiring the temporary suspension of law enforcement credentials and service weapons during treatment.

House Bill 1842, sponsored by Rep. Mark Lepak, would amend Section 13 of the Workers’ Compensation Code (85A O.S. §13) to bolster coverage for mental health injuries — particularly PTSD — incurred by law enforcement officers, firefighters (paid or volunteer), and emergency medical technicians. While PTSD is already a recognized injury for first responders under Oklahoma law, the bill adds a new layer of administrative procedure and safety oversight.

The most notable addition in HB 1842 is a requirement that, when a first responder is temporarily unable to perform their duties due to PTSD, the employer must:

• Collect the responder’s service weapon; and
• Suspend their CLEET (Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training) certification until the individual is medically cleared to return to work.

These steps, which go beyond traditional workers' compensation benefits, signal a legislative shift toward linking occupational mental health injuries with public safety concerns, particularly for armed personnel.

For insurers and municipal risk pools, the bill reaffirms and slightly restructures benefits already provided under the existing framework:

• Up to 52 weeks of temporary disability benefits, with extensions requiring clear and convincing evidence.
• A maximum of $10,000 in prescription drug coverage for PTSD treatment.
• Medical costs are covered for up to one year, subject to the Workers' Compensation Commission's fee schedule.
• Health insurance must be maintained by the employer during the treatment period.
• Permanent disability benefits of up to $50,000 may be awarded if the first responder reaches maximum medical improvement but remains unable to perform essential job functions and is ineligible for a disability pension.

The bill fits within a national wave of legislation recognizing PTSD as a compensable injury for first responders — a shift that reflects growing awareness of the psychological toll of frontline work, particularly in law enforcement and emergency response.

It also introduces a more formal post-incident process, combining workers' compensation administration with law enforcement credentialing.