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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
REVISED
firefighters; peace offices; PTSD; therapy
Purpose
Conditionally upon the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by December 31, 2025, requires employers to provide workers' compensation coverage for MDMA-AT to firefighters and certified peace officers diagnosed with PTSD.
Background
The Industrial Commission of Arizona administers workers' compensation laws and adjudicates workers' compensation claims. An injured employee, or a dependent of a deceased employee, is entitled to receive workers' compensation for an accident arising out of and in the course of employment (A.R.S. § 23-921).
MDMA is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception and is chemically similar to both stimulants and hallucinogens. MDMA increases the activity of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain and its effects last about three to six hours. MDMA is currently in clinical trials as a possible treatment aid for PTSD, anxiety in terminally ill patients and for social anxiety in autistic adults (National Institute on Drug Abuse). Recently, the FDA designated MDMA-AT for PTSD as a breakthrough therapy drug, which are intended to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition. A breakthrough therapy designation also means that preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints (FDA).
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) fiscal note on S.B. 1677 estimates that requiring payment of MDMA-AT for firefighters and certified peace officers would increase workers' compensation coverage costs depending on the number of eligible firefighters and peace officers and the cost per patient (JLBC fiscal note).
Provisions
1. Requires an employer to provide workers' compensation coverage to firefighters and certified peace officers who have been diagnosed with PTSD that includes a treatment protocol of MDMA-AT as prescribed by a health care provider.
2. Conditions the enactment of this legislation on FDA approval of the use of MDMA-AT for PTSD treatment by December 31, 2025.
3. Requires, by February 2, 2026, the Department of Health Services to notify the Director of the Arizona Legislative Council of the date on which the conditional enactment was met, or that the conditional enactment was not met.
4. Defines terms.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date or later, subject to the provisions of the conditional enactment.
Revisions
ˇ Updates the fiscal impact statement.
Prepared by Senate Research
March 5, 2024
MG/AB/cs