Vermont S 306: An act relating to raising an income tax surcharge in order to reduce State retirement liabilities

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.306
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VT LEG #385918 v.1
S.306 1
Introduced by Senators Major, Clarkson, Hardy, Mattos, Perchlik, Plunkett, 2
Weeks and White 3
Referred to Committee on 4
Date: 5
Subject: Internal security and public safety; emergency management; first 6
responders in communications; labor; workers’ compensation; post-7
traumatic stress disorder 8
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to define public 9
safety dispatchers and emergency services dispatchers as first responders in 10
communications and to provide workers’ compensation benefits for post-11
traumatic stress disorder incurred during service in the line of duty as a first 12
responder in communications. 13
An act relating to first responders in communications 14
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 15
Sec. 1. PURPOSE 16
The purpose of this act is to give formal recognition and validation to public 17
safety and emergency services dispatchers, whose work in responding to 18
emergencies is critical and often traumatic, by providing access to benefits 19

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VT LEG #385918 v.1
more traditionally associated with first responders, such as training 1
opportunities and access to mental health supports. 2
Sec. 2. 20 V.S.A. chapter 161 is added to read: 3
CHAPTER 161. FIRST RESPONDERS IN COMMUNICATIONS 4
§ 2461. DEFINITIONS 5
“First responder in communications” means any individual who is currently 6
or formerly certified by the Vermont Enhanced 911 Board as a 911 call taker, a 7
public safety dispatcher, public safety telecommunicator, emergency operator, 8
or emergency telecommunicator, or who is employed as an emergency 9
communications dispatcher providing service for an emergency provider 10
organization. A first responder in communications is responsible for the 11
administration or supervision of lifesaving communication services for 12
emergency situations. 13
§ 2462. TRAINING 14
To the extent practicable, employers of a first responder in communications 15
shall provide training to maintain and enhance the knowledge, skills, and 16
proficiency of the first responder in communications. 17
Sec. 3. 21 V.S.A. § 601 is amended to read: 18
§ 601. DEFINITIONS 19
As used in this chapter: 20
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VT LEG #385918 v.1
(11) “Personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of 1
employment” includes an injury caused by the willful act of a third person 2
directed against an employee because of that employment. 3
* * * 4
(I)(i) In the case of police officers, rescue or ambulance workers, 5
firefighters, or State employees, as that term is defined pursuant to subdivision 6
(iii)(VI) of this subdivision (11)(I), or first responders in communications, as 7
that term is defined pursuant to subdivision (iii)(VII) of this subdivision 8
(11)(I), post-traumatic stress disorder that is diagnosed by a mental health 9
professional shall be presumed to have been incurred during service in the line 10
of duty and shall be compensable, unless it is shown by a preponderance of the 11
evidence that the post-traumatic stress disorder was caused by nonservice-12
connected risk factors or nonservice-connected exposure. 13
(ii) A police officer, rescue or ambulance worker, firefighter, or 14
State employee, or first responder in communications who is diagnosed with 15
post-traumatic stress disorder within three years following the last active date 16
of employment as a police officer, rescue or ambulance worker, firefighter, or 17
State employee, or first responder in communications shall be eligible for 18
benefits under this subdivision (11). 19
(iii) As used in this subdivision (11)(I): 20
* * * 21

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VT LEG #385918 v.1
(VII) “First responder in communications” means an individual 1
as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 2461. 2
* * * 3
Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE 4
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026. 5