HOBOKEN — City of Hoboken officials learned of House Bill 451, a mandatory state law passed for first responders.
The bill requires public entities to maintain insurance coverage for first responders if they are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The PTSD diagnosis must be a result of a traumatic event while working for the public entity and would be for events that took place after July 1, 2023.
Those diagnosed with PSTD would receive a single, $3,000 lump sum payment and up to 36 months of disability (income replacement) benefits over the course of their lifetime if unable to return to work as a first responder as a result of the PTSD.
“This is to allow certain coverage for PTSD of municipal employees,” explained City Attorney Adam Ferrell to members of the Hoboken city council during the Tuesday, January 7 meeting. “This resolution would authorize the mayor to enter into and add that coverage under our GRMA Fund. We have to provide this type of coverage for our public responders.”
The cost, according to City Clerk Linda Henderson, is $148 a year.
Council members tabled the item until futher information could be obtained.
