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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
communicable disease information; 911 dispatchers
(NOW: trauma counseling; 911 dispatchers)
Purpose
Adds 911 dispatchers to the professionals who may qualify under the Traumatic Event Counseling Program (Program) for public safety employees, peace officers and firefighters.
Background
The State of Arizona or political subdivisions of Arizona must establish a Program to provide public safety employees, peace officers and firefighters up to 12 employer-paid visits of licensed counseling. To qualify, an employee must experience a traumatic event in the course of duty that include: 1) visually witnessing the death or maiming or visually witnessing the immediate aftermath of such a death or maiming of one or more human beings; 2) responding to or being directly involved in a criminal investigation of an offense involving a dangerous crime against children; and 3) requiring rescue in the line of duty where one's life was endangered.
For peace officers and firefighters, the prescribed traumatic events also include: 1) using deadly force or being subjected to deadly force in the line of duty, regardless of whether the peace officer or firefighter was physically injured; 2) witnessing the death of another peace officer or firefighter while engaged in the line of duty; and 3) responding to or being directly involved in an investigation regarding the drowning or near downing of a child. A peace officer or firefighter may qualify for up to 24 additional visits if a licensed mental health professional determines that additional visits are likely to improve their condition. An employer may not require a peace officer or firefighter who is receiving treatment from using accrued paid vacation leave, personal leave or sick leave if the leave is to attend a treatment visit. An employer must ensure no loss of pay and benefits for up to 30 calendar days per incident for a peace officer or firefighter that is determined to be unfit for duty (A.R.S. §§ 38-672 and 38-673).
A public safety employee includes an individual who is a member of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System or the Corrections Officer Retirement Plan or a probation officer, surveillance officer or juvenile detention officer employed by the State of Arizona or a political subdivision of Arizona (A.R.S. § 38-672).
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) fiscal note estimates that H.B. 2717 would likely not have a material fiscal impact to the state as the state already contracts for mental health counseling for its employees (JLBC fiscal note).
Provisions
1. Adds 911 dispatchers to the professionals who may qualify under the Program for public safety employees, peace officers and firefighters.
2. Includes audibly witnessing a death or maiming or the aftermath of such a death or maiming in the traumatic events that qualify for the Program.
3. Includes, in the definition of public safety employee, a 911 dispatcher.
4. Defines 911 dispatcher as a 911 dispatcher in a primary or secondary public safety answering point.
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Includes audibly witnessing a death or maiming or the aftermath of such a death or maiming in the traumatic events that qualify for the Program.
House Action Senate Action
TI 2/15/23 DPA/SE 10-0-0-1 COM 3/29/23 DPA 6-0-1
3rd Read 3/7/23 60-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 30, 2023
JT/PM/sr