Bill Overview
Title: Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022
Description: This act extends death and disability benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program to certain public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who suffer or suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, or trauma and stress-related disorders following an exposure to one or more traumatic events while on duty. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who die or become disabled as a direct and proximate result of a personal injury in the line of duty. The act specifies that post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, or trauma and stress-related disorders suffered by a public safety officer following an exposure to a traumatic event while on duty constitutes a personal injury in the line of duty if exposure to the traumatic event was a substantial factor in the disorder. Further, for the purposes of death and disability benefits, the act creates a presumption that an officer's death or permanent disability was directly caused by a personal injury in the line of duty if the officer took an action intended to bring about his or her death and exposure to a traumatic event was a substantial factor in that action or that action occurred within 45 days of an exposure and was consistent with a psychiatric disorder. Finally, the act requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the details of benefits issued pursuant to this act, including recommendations to improve the PSOB program.
Sponsors: Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
Target Audience
Population: People employed as public safety officers
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The bill focuses on public safety officers who have been exposed to traumatic events while on duty.
- It extends benefits specifically to those with PTSD, acute stress disorder, or trauma-related disorders due to their work conditions.
- Public Safety Officers include police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders.
- The bill will impact both the officers currently facing these mental health issues and their survivors, in cases of death or disability.
- The legislation is relevant in any country with a significant public safety workforce potentially exposed to traumatic events.
Reasoning
- The policy targets public safety officers, a population involved in high-stress and risky situations due to their job nature.
- The policy particularly impacts those suffering from mental health issues like PTSD resulting from their professional duties.
- There is likely a mix of responses, with some officers experiencing significant benefits from policies aimed at mental health issues, while others might not be directly affected.
- Given the budget constraints, only a portion of the affected population may receive immediate benefits.
- It is important to simulate diverse perspectives, including those who might see indirect benefits, such as reduced stigma around mental health.
Simulated Interviews
Police Officer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help officers like me who have seen things no one should see.
- I'm hopeful it means fewer financial burdens if I suffer from PTSD.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Firefighter (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's reassuring to know there's additional support if I face severe mental health issues.
- I hope this changes the conversation around mental health in our profession.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Paramedic (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wish this policy was around when I started my career.
- For new EMTs, this is essential support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Police Officer (Austin, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as a necessary safety net for our officers.
- It will hopefully reduce the stigma of seeking help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
EMT (Miami, FL)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing there's support for mental health is comforting.
- The policy makes the job a bit less daunting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Volunteer Firefighter (Houston, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Even as a volunteer, this shows that our mental health matters.
- Hope this reduces stress related to future exposures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Police Officer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could provide the help I badly need.
- It's good to know there is more awareness about mental health issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Paramedic (Boston, MA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a crucial development for paramedics.
- It's about time mental health is given more priority.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Police Officer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could provide peace of mind, knowing my child is looked after if anything happens to me due to PTSD.
- It's a step forward in acknowledging the mental load on officers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Firefighter (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having this policy feels like an additional layer of support.
- It reinforces that we are not alone in dealing with the impacts of our job.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $80000000)
Year 2: $55000000 (Low: $33000000, High: $88000000)
Year 3: $60500000 (Low: $36300000, High: $96800000)
Year 5: $66550000 (Low: $39930000, High: $106480000)
Year 10: $73205000 (Low: $43923000, High: $117128000)
Year 100: $80525500 (Low: $48315300, High: $128840800)
Key Considerations
- The definition of eligible stress disorders and the conditions relating to traumatic exposure are crucial for interpreting the fiscal impact.
- The cost estimates are influenced by adoption rates of mental health claims by public safety officers and their dependents.
- Continuous assessment and adjustments in the administration of PSOB benefits, particularly concerning mental health, are necessary to manage costs effectively.