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PHOENIX (AP) — The House has unanimously approved a measure that would allow police officers to receive worker's compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Rep. Mark Finchem sponsored the bill to modify state law that only allows worker's compensation for personal injuries or accidents.
Finchem says his bill is a stop-gap measure allowing law enforcement to get the help they need while a legislative committee continues to study the issue.
Police officers shed tears during a committee hearing while discussing their personal experiences and the stigma that ordinarily prevents law enforcement from talking about the psychological impact of traumatic events.
They testified that PTSD destroyed their jobs and relationships and should be covered under worker's compensation.
House Bill 2350 passed unanimously Tuesday. It now moves to the Senate.
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