ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session

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HB2717: communicable disease information; 911 dispatchers

S/E: trauma counseling; 911 dispatchers

Sponsor: Representative Hernandez M, LD 8

Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure

Summary of Strike Everything Amendment for HB 2717

Overview

Broadens the traumatic event counseling programs already required for public safety employees, peace officers and firefighters to include 911 dispatchers to receive counseling under the program after experiencing a traumatic event while in the course of duty.

History

This state or a political subdivision of this state is required to establish a program to provide up to 12 visits of licensed counseling which are paid for by the employer and may be provided through telehealth for public safety employers, peace officers and firefighters who are exposed to any one of the following events while in the course of duty:

1) visually witnessing the death or maiming or visually witnessing the immediate aftermath of such a death or maiming of one or more persons;

2) for peace officers and firefighters, witnessing the death of another peace officer or firefighter while engaged in the line of duty;

3) for peace officers and firefighters responding directly or being directly involved in the drowning or near drowning of a child;

4) responding to or being directly involved in a criminal investigation of an offense involving a dangerous crime against children;

5) for peace officers and firefighters, using deadly force or being subjected to deadly force in the line of duty, regardless of injury to the firefighter or peace officer; and

6) requiring rescue in the line of duty where one's life was endangered.

If the licensed mental health care professional decides the firefighter or peace officer needs additional counseling visits beyond the 12 already provided for, the employer is required to pay for up to an additional 24 visits if they occur within one year after the first visit. Statute outlines further requirements for the traumatic event counseling programs. Each state and political subdivision of this state is required to submit specified data collected regarding the traumatic event counseling programs yearly to the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA), the ADOA is required to compile the data into a report and submit it to specified governmental entities (A.R.S. §§ 38-672, 38-673).

Provisions

1. Includes 911 dispatchers in the traumatic event counseling programs this state or political subdivision of this state are already required to provide to firefighters and peace officers who are exposed to any of the specified traumatic events while in the course of duty. (Sec. 2)

2. States that if a licensed mental health professional determines the 911 dispatcher needs additional counseling visits beyond the 12 already provided under the program, the employer is required to pay for up to an additional 24 visits if they occur within 1 year after the first visit. (Sec. 2)

3. Prohibits an employer from requiring a 911 dispatcher who is receiving counseling treatment through the program to use their accrued paid vacation leave, personal leave or sick time if the 911 dispatcher leaves work to attend treatment. (Sec. 2)

4. Requires an employer to ensure a 911 dispatcher has no loss of pay and benefits for up to 30 calendar days per incident if a licensed mental health professional determines that the 911 dispatcher is not fit for duty while receiving treatment and if other specified requirements are met. (Sec. 2)

5. Directs an employer to allow a 911 dispatcher to select their own licensed mental health professional, except if the mental health professional declines to provide counseling under the required traumatic event counseling program. (Sec.  2)

6. Includes 911 dispatchers in the data compiling requirement for traumatic event counseling programs. (Sec. 2)

7. Specifies these requirements do not apply to a state employer that provides a program to its 911 dispatchers that:

a) is paid for by the employer;

b) provides licensed counseling for any issue. For counseling related to trauma experienced while in the line of duty, the counseling is provided per request of the 911 dispatcher and is in person; and

c) the program offers at least 12 visits per year and will offer additional visits if the licensed mental health professional deems them necessary. (Sec. 2)

8. Defines terms. (Sec. 1-2)

9. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1-2)

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                  HB 2717

Initials JB/BM        Page 0 Transportation & Infrastructure

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