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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
traumatic
event counseling; constables
(NOW: constables; traumatic event counseling)
Purpose
Background
Current statute requires the state or a political subdivision of Arizona to establish a program that provides up to 12 visits of licensed counseling to peace officers, firefighters and 911 dispatchers who are exposed to any one of the following events while in the course of duty, which may be provided through telehealth, paid for by the employer: 1) visually or audibly witnessing the death or maiming or visually or audibly 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; 3) requiring rescue in the line of duty where one's life was endangered; 4) 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; 5) witnessing the death of another peace officer or firefighter while engaged in the line of duty; or 6) responding to or being directly involved in an investigation regarding the drowning or near drowning of a child.
An employer must pay for up to an additional 24 outlined visits, if the licensed mental health professional determines that the peace officer, firefighter or 911 dispatcher needs additional visits of licensed counseling beyond that which the peace officer, firefighter or 911 dispatcher is entitled to and that the additional visits are likely to improve the peace officer's, firefighter's or 911 dispatcher's condition (A.R.S. § 38-673).
Peace officers include: 1) sheriffs of counties; 2) constables; 3) marshals; 4) policemen of cities and towns; 5) commissioned personnel of the Department of Public Safety; and 6) other outlined individuals (A.R.S. § 1-215).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Adds constables and deputy constables to the definition of peace officers for the purpose of qualifying for traumatic event counseling.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
MAPS 1/29/24 DPA/SE 14-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/15/24 58-0-1-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
February 26, 2024
ZD/SB/cs