{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/65.2-107.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/65.2-107.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/65.2-107.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/65.2-107.html"}],"law_id":58233,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58233,"structure_id":15021,"section_number":"65.2-107","catch_line":"Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder incurred by law-enforcement officers and firefighters","history":"2020, cc. 1206, 1262; 2023, cc. 243, 244.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Anxiety disorder” means a disorder that meets the diagnostic criteria for one or more of the anxiety disorders specified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Depressive disorder” means a disorder that meets the diagnostic criteria for one or more of the depressive disorders specified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Firefighter” means any (i) salaried firefighter, including special forest wardens designated pursuant to \u00a7 10.1-1135, emergency medical services personnel, and local or state fire scene investigator and (ii) volunteer firefighter and volunteer emergency medical services personnel.\n\t\t\t“In the line of duty” means any action that a law-enforcement officer or firefighter was obligated or authorized to perform by rule, regulation, written condition of employment service, or law.\n\t\t\t“Law-enforcement officer” means any (i) member of the State Police Officers’ Retirement System; (ii) member of a county, city, or town police department; (iii) sheriff or deputy sheriff; (iv) Department of Emergency Management hazardous materials officer; (v) city sergeant or deputy city sergeant of the City of Richmond; (vi) Virginia Marine Police officer; (vii) conservation police officer who is a full-time sworn member of the enforcement division of the Department of Wildlife Resources; (viii) Capitol Police officer; (ix) special agent of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority appointed under the provisions of Chapter 1 (\u00a7 4.1-100 et seq.) of Title 4.1; (x) for such period that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority voluntarily subjects itself to the provisions of this chapter as provided in \u00a7 65.2-305, officer of the police force established and maintained by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; (xi) officer of the police force established and maintained by the Norfolk Airport Authority; (xii) sworn officer of the police force established and maintained by the Virginia Port Authority; or (xiii) campus police officer appointed under Article 3 (\u00a7 23.1-809 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 23.1 and employed by any public institution of higher education.\n\t\t\t“Mental health professional” means a board-certified psychiatrist or a psychologist licensed pursuant to Title 54.1 who has experience diagnosing and treating post-traumatic stress disorder.\n\t\t\t“Post-traumatic stress disorder” means a disorder that meets the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder as specified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Qualifying event” means an incident or exposure occurring in the line of duty on or after July 1, 2020, for post-traumatic stress disorder, and for purposes of subdivisions 1 through 4 of this definition, on or after July 1, 2023, for anxiety disorder or depressive disorder:1\n\nResulting in serious bodily injury or death to any person or persons;2\n\nInvolving a minor who has been injured, killed, abused, or exploited;3\n\nInvolving an immediate threat to life of the claimant or another individual;4\n\nInvolving mass casualties; or5\n\nResponding to crime scenes for investigation.B\n\nPost-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder incurred by a law-enforcement officer or firefighter is compensable under this title if:1\n\nA mental health professional examines a law-enforcement officer or firefighter and diagnoses the law-enforcement officer or firefighter as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder as a result of the individual’s undergoing a qualifying event;2\n\nThe post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder resulted from the law-enforcement officer’s or firefighter’s acting in the line of duty and, in the case of a firefighter, such firefighter complied with federal Occupational Safety and Health Act standards adopted pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1910.134 and 29 C.F.R. 1910.156;3\n\nThe law-enforcement officer’s or firefighter’s undergoing a qualifying event was a substantial factor in causing his post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder;4\n\nSuch qualifying event, and not another event or source of stress, was the primary cause of the post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder; and5\n\nThe post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder did not result from any disciplinary action, work evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, promotion, termination, retirement, or similar action of the law-enforcement officer or firefighter.\n\t\t\t\tAny such mental health professional shall comply with any workers’ compensation guidelines for approved medical providers, including guidelines on release of past or contemporaneous medical records.C\n\nNotwithstanding any provision of this title, workers’ compensation benefits for any law-enforcement officer or firefighter payable pursuant to this section shall (i) include any combination of medical treatment prescribed by a board-certified psychiatrist or a licensed psychologist, temporary total incapacity benefits under § 65.2-500, and temporary partial incapacity benefits under § 65.2-502 and (ii) be provided for a maximum of 52 weeks from the date of diagnosis. No medical treatment, temporary total incapacity benefits under § 65.2-500, or temporary partial incapacity benefits under § 65.2-502 shall be awarded beyond four years from the date of the qualifying event that formed the basis for the claim for benefits under this section. The weekly benefits received by a law-enforcement officer or a firefighter pursuant to § 65.2-500 or 65.2-502, when combined with other benefits, including contributory and noncontributory retirement benefits, Social Security benefits, and benefits under a long-term or short-term disability plan, but not including payments for medical care, shall not exceed the average weekly wage paid to such law-enforcement officer or firefighter.D\n\nNo later than January 1, 2021, each employer of law-enforcement officers or firefighters shall (i) make peer support available to such law-enforcement officers and firefighters and (ii) refer a law-enforcement officer or firefighter seeking mental health care services to a mental health professional.E\n\nEach fire basic training program conducted or administered by the Department of Fire Programs or a municipal fire department in the Commonwealth shall provide, in consultation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, resilience and self-care technique training for any individual who begins basic training as a firefighter on or after July 1, 2021.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":213390,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Anxiety disorder” means a disorder that meets the diagnostic criteria for one or more of the anxiety disorders specified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Depressive disorder” means a disorder that meets the diagnostic criteria for one or more of the depressive disorders specified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Firefighter” means any (i) salaried firefighter, including special forest wardens designated pursuant to \u00a7 10.1-1135, emergency medical services personnel, and local or state fire scene investigator and (ii) volunteer firefighter and volunteer emergency medical services personnel.\n\t\t\t“In the line of duty” means any action that a law-enforcement officer or firefighter was obligated or authorized to perform by rule, regulation, written condition of employment service, or law.\n\t\t\t“Law-enforcement officer” means any (i) member of the State Police Officers’ Retirement System; (ii) member of a county, city, or town police department; (iii) sheriff or deputy sheriff; (iv) Department of Emergency Management hazardous materials officer; (v) city sergeant or deputy city sergeant of the City of Richmond; (vi) Virginia Marine Police officer; (vii) conservation police officer who is a full-time sworn member of the enforcement division of the Department of Wildlife Resources; (viii) Capitol Police officer; (ix) special agent of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority appointed under the provisions of Chapter 1 (\u00a7 4.1-100 et seq.) of Title 4.1; (x) for such period that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority voluntarily subjects itself to the provisions of this chapter as provided in \u00a7 65.2-305, officer of the police force established and maintained by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; (xi) officer of the police force established and maintained by the Norfolk Airport Authority; (xii) sworn officer of the police force established and maintained by the Virginia Port Authority; or (xiii) campus police officer appointed under Article 3 (\u00a7 23.1-809 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 23.1 and employed by any public institution of higher education.\n\t\t\t“Mental health professional” means a board-certified psychiatrist or a psychologist licensed pursuant to Title 54.1 who has experience diagnosing and treating post-traumatic stress disorder.\n\t\t\t“Post-traumatic stress disorder” means a disorder that meets the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder as specified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Qualifying event” means an incident or exposure occurring in the line of duty on or after July 1, 2020, for post-traumatic stress disorder, and for purposes of subdivisions 1 through 4 of this definition, on or after July 1, 2023, for anxiety disorder or depressive disorder:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":213391,"text":"Resulting in serious bodily injury or death to any person or persons;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":213392,"text":"Involving a minor who has been injured, killed, abused, or exploited;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":213393,"text":"Involving an immediate threat to life of the claimant or another individual;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":213394,"text":"Involving mass casualties; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":213395,"text":"Responding to crime scenes for investigation.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B"},"6":{"id":213396,"text":"Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder incurred by a law-enforcement officer or firefighter is compensable under this title if:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"B1"},"7":{"id":213397,"text":"A mental health professional examines a law-enforcement officer or firefighter and diagnoses the law-enforcement officer or firefighter as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder as a result of the individual’s undergoing a qualifying event;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"8":{"id":213398,"text":"The post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder resulted from the law-enforcement officer’s or firefighter’s acting in the line of duty and, in the case of a firefighter, such firefighter complied with federal Occupational Safety and Health Act standards adopted pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1910.134 and 29 C.F.R. 1910.156;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"9":{"id":213399,"text":"The law-enforcement officer’s or firefighter’s undergoing a qualifying event was a substantial factor in causing his post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"10":{"id":213400,"text":"Such qualifying event, and not another event or source of stress, was the primary cause of the post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"11":{"id":213401,"text":"The post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder did not result from any disciplinary action, work evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, promotion, termination, retirement, or similar action of the law-enforcement officer or firefighter.\n\t\t\t\tAny such mental health professional shall comply with any workers’ compensation guidelines for approved medical providers, including guidelines on release of past or contemporaneous medical records.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"C"},"12":{"id":213402,"text":"Notwithstanding any provision of this title, workers’ compensation benefits for any law-enforcement officer or firefighter payable pursuant to this section shall (i) include any combination of medical treatment prescribed by a board-certified psychiatrist or a licensed psychologist, temporary total incapacity benefits under § 65.2-500, and temporary partial incapacity benefits under § 65.2-502 and (ii) be provided for a maximum of 52 weeks from the date of diagnosis. No medical treatment, temporary total incapacity benefits under § 65.2-500, or temporary partial incapacity benefits under § 65.2-502 shall be awarded beyond four years from the date of the qualifying event that formed the basis for the claim for benefits under this section. The weekly benefits received by a law-enforcement officer or a firefighter pursuant to § 65.2-500 or 65.2-502, when combined with other benefits, including contributory and noncontributory retirement benefits, Social Security benefits, and benefits under a long-term or short-term disability plan, but not including payments for medical care, shall not exceed the average weekly wage paid to such law-enforcement officer or firefighter.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"D"},"13":{"id":213403,"text":"No later than January 1, 2021, each employer of law-enforcement officers or firefighters shall (i) make peer support available to such law-enforcement officers and firefighters and (ii) refer a law-enforcement officer or firefighter seeking mental health care services to a mental health professional.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"14":{"id":213404,"text":"Each fire basic training program conducted or administered by the Department of Fire Programs or a municipal fire department in the Commonwealth shall provide, in consultation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, resilience and self-care technique training for any individual who begins basic training as a firefighter on or after July 1, 2021.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15021,"edition_id":1,"name":"Definitions and General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13199,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:34","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:34","permalink":{"id":276117,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15021,"identifier":"1","token":"65.2\/1","url":"\/65.2\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13199,"edition_id":1,"name":"Workers' Compensation","identifier":"65.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:26","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:26","permalink":{"id":276115,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13199,"identifier":"65.2","token":"65.2","url":"\/65.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":67999,"structure_id":15021,"section_number":"65.2-100","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/65.2-100\/","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-100","metadata":false},{"id":59551,"structure_id":15021,"section_number":"65.2-101","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/65.2-101\/","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-101","metadata":false},{"id":57932,"structure_id":15021,"section_number":"65.2-101.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/65.2-101.1\/","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-101.1","metadata":false},{"id":74882,"structure_id":15021,"section_number":"65.2-102","catch_line":"Coverage of firefighters and law-enforcement officers in off-duty capacity","url":"\/65.2-102\/","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-102","metadata":false},{"id":79344,"structure_id":15021,"section_number":"65.2-103","catch_line":"Coverage of members of the Virginia National Guard or Virginia Defense Force during response to orders","url":"\/65.2-103\/","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-103","metadata":false},{"id":59660,"structure_id":15021,"section_number":"65.2-104","catch_line":"Coverage of first responders in off-duty capacity during state of emergency","url":"\/65.2-104\/","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-104","metadata":false},{"id":57280,"structure_id":15021,"section_number":"65.2-105","catch_line":"Presumption that certain injuries arose out of and in the course of employment","url":"\/65.2-105\/","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-105","metadata":false},{"id":57573,"structure_id":15021,"section_number":"65.2-106","catch_line":"Criminal justice training academy trainees","url":"\/65.2-106\/","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-106","metadata":false},{"id":58233,"structure_id":15021,"section_number":"65.2-107","catch_line":"Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder incurred by law-enforcement officers and firefighters","url":"\/65.2-107\/","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-107","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":57573,"structure_id":15021,"section_number":"65.2-106","catch_line":"Criminal justice training academy trainees","url":"\/65.2-106\/","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-106","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/65.2-107\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 1206<\/a> and 1262<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2023, chapters 243<\/a> and 244<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":58515,"section_number":"18.2-461.1","catch_line":"False emergency communication to emergency personnel; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-461.1\/"},{"id":84664,"section_number":"52-9.1:1","catch_line":"Retired and former law-enforcement officers; retention of badge","order_by":null,"url":"\/52-9.1_1\/"},{"id":66796,"section_number":"9.1-1000","catch_line":"Retired and former law-enforcement officers; photo identification cards; retention of badge","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-1000\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":87311,"section_number":"10.1-1135","catch_line":"Appointment and compensation of forest wardens; oath; powers","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1135\/"},{"id":60667,"section_number":"23.1-809","catch_line":"Public institutions of higher education; establishment of campus police departments authorized; employment of officers","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-809\/"},{"id":55602,"section_number":"4.1-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-100\/"},{"id":77522,"section_number":"65.2-305","catch_line":"Voluntary subjection to provisions of title; effect of taking out insurance or qualifying as self-insurer","order_by":null,"url":"\/65.2-305\/"},{"id":63631,"section_number":"65.2-500","catch_line":"Compensation for total incapacity; computation of average wage; exclusion of AmeriCorps members, certain Food Stamp Employment and Training Program participants, and certain Temporary Assistance for Needy Families participants","order_by":null,"url":"\/65.2-500\/"},{"id":85307,"section_number":"65.2-502","catch_line":"Compensation for partial incapacity; exclusion of AmeriCorps members, certain Food Stamp Employment and Training Program participants, and certain Temporary Assistance for Needy Families participants","order_by":null,"url":"\/65.2-502\/"}],"permalink":{"id":276151,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58233,"identifier":"65.2-107","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-107","url":"\/65.2-107\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/65.2-107\/","token":"65.2\/1\/65.2-107","dublin_core":{"Title":"Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder incurred by law-enforcement officers and firefighters","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 65.2-107","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Anxiety disorder<\/span>” means a disorder that meets the diagnostic criteria for one or more of the anxiety disorders<\/span> specified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Depressive disorder<\/span>” means a disorder that meets the diagnostic criteria for one or more of the depressive disorders<\/span> specified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Firefighter<\/span>” means any (i) salaried firefighter<\/span>, including special forest wardens designated pursuant to \u00a7 10.1-1135<\/a>, emergency medical services personnel, and local or state fire scene investigator and (ii) volunteer firefighter<\/span> and volunteer emergency medical services personnel.\n\t\t\t“In the line of duty<\/span>” means any action that a law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> or firefighter<\/span> was obligated or authorized to perform by rule, regulation, written condition of employment service, or law<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>” means any (i) member of the State Police Officers’ Retirement System; (ii) member of a county, city, or town police department; (iii) sheriff or deputy sheriff; (iv) Department of Emergency Management hazardous materials<\/span> officer; (v) city sergeant or deputy city sergeant of the City of Richmond; (vi) Virginia Marine Police officer; (vii) conservation police officer who is a full-time sworn member of the enforcement division of the Department of Wildlife Resources; (viii) Capitol Police officer; (ix) special agent of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority appointed under the provisions of Chapter 1 (\u00a7 4.1-100<\/a> et seq.) of Title 4.1; (x) for such period that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority voluntarily subjects itself to the provisions of this chapter as provided in \u00a7 65.2-305<\/a>, officer of the police force established and maintained by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; (xi) officer of the police force established and maintained by the Norfolk Airport Authority; (xii) sworn officer of the police force established and maintained by the Virginia Port Authority; or (xiii) campus police officer appointed under Article 3 (\u00a7 23.1-809<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 23.1 and employed by any public institution of higher education.\n\t\t\t“Mental health professional<\/span>” means a board-certified psychiatrist or a psychologist licensed pursuant to Title 54.1 who has experience diagnosing and treating post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span>” means a disorder that meets the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span> as specified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Qualifying event<\/span>” means an incident or exposure occurring in the line of duty<\/span> on or after July 1, 2020, for post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span>, and for purposes of subdivisions 1 through 4 of this definition, on or after July 1, 2023, for anxiety disorder<\/span> or depressive disorder<\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Resulting in serious bodily injury<\/span> or death to any person or persons; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Involving a minor<\/span> who has been injured, killed, abused, or exploited; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Involving an immediate threat to life of the claimant or another individual; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Involving mass casualties; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Responding to crime<\/span> scenes for investigation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span>, anxiety disorder<\/span>, or depressive disorder<\/span> incurred by a law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> or firefighter<\/span> is compensable under this title if: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> A mental health professional<\/span> examines a law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> or firefighter<\/span> and diagnoses the law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> or firefighter<\/span> as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span>, anxiety disorder<\/span>, or depressive disorder<\/span> as a result of the individual’s undergoing a qualifying event<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span>, anxiety disorder<\/span>, or depressive disorder<\/span> resulted from the law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>’s or firefighter<\/span>’s acting in the line of duty<\/span> and, in the case of a firefighter<\/span>, such firefighter<\/span> complied with federal Occupational Safety and Health Act standards adopted pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1910.134 and 29 C.F.R. 1910.156; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>’s or firefighter<\/span>’s undergoing a qualifying event<\/span> was a substantial factor in causing his post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span>, anxiety disorder<\/span>, or depressive disorder<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Such qualifying event<\/span>, and not another event or source of stress, was the primary cause of the post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span>, anxiety disorder<\/span>, or depressive disorder<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span>, anxiety disorder<\/span>, or depressive disorder<\/span> did not result from any disciplinary action, work evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, promotion, termination, retirement, or similar action of the law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> or firefighter<\/span>.\n\t\t\t\tAny such mental health professional<\/span> shall comply with any workers’ compensation guidelines for approved medical providers, including guidelines on release of past or contemporaneous medical records. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding any provision of this title, workers’ compensation benefits for any law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> or firefighter<\/span> payable pursuant to this section shall (i) include any combination of medical treatment prescribed by a board-certified psychiatrist or a licensed psychologist, temporary total incapacity benefits under § 65.2-500<\/a>, and temporary partial incapacity benefits under § 65.2-502<\/a> and (ii) be provided for a maximum of 52 weeks from the date of diagnosis. No medical treatment, temporary total incapacity benefits under § 65.2-500<\/a>, or temporary partial incapacity benefits under § 65.2-502<\/a> shall be awarded beyond four years from the date of the qualifying event<\/span> that formed the basis for the claim for benefits under this section. The weekly benefits received by a law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> or a firefighter<\/span> pursuant to § 65.2-500<\/a> or 65.2-502<\/a>, when combined with other benefits, including contributory and noncontributory retirement benefits, Social Security benefits, and benefits under a long-term or short-term disability plan, but not including payments for medical care, shall not exceed the average weekly wage paid to such law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> or firefighter<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> No later than January 1, 2021, each employer<\/span> of law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> or firefighters<\/span> shall (i) make peer support available to such law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> and firefighters<\/span> and (ii) refer a law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> or firefighter<\/span> seeking mental health care services to a mental health professional<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Each fire basic training program conducted or administered by the Department of Fire Programs or a municipal fire department in the Commonwealth shall provide, in consultation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, resilience and self-care technique training for any individual who begins basic training as a firefighter<\/span> on or after July 1, 2021. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, ANXIETY DISORDER, OR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER\nINCURRED BY LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS (\u00a7 65.2-107)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Anxiety disorder” means a disorder that meets the diagnostic\ncriteria for one or more of the anxiety disorders specified in the most recent\nedition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published\nby the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Depressive disorder” means a disorder that meets the diagnostic\ncriteria for one or more of the depressive disorders specified in the most\nrecent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders\npublished by the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Firefighter” means any (i) salaried firefighter, including\nspecial forest wardens designated pursuant to \u00a7 10.1-1135, emergency medical\nservices personnel, and local or state fire scene investigator and (ii)\nvolunteer firefighter and volunteer emergency medical services personnel.\n\t\t\t“In the line of duty” means any action that a law-enforcement\nofficer or firefighter was obligated or authorized to perform by rule,\nregulation, written condition of employment service, or law.\n\t\t\t“Law-enforcement officer” means any (i) member of the State\nPolice Officers’ Retirement System; (ii) member of a county, city, or town\npolice department; (iii) sheriff or deputy sheriff; (iv) Department of Emergency\nManagement hazardous materials officer; (v) city sergeant or deputy city\nsergeant of the City of Richmond; (vi) Virginia Marine Police officer; (vii)\nconservation police officer who is a full-time sworn member of the enforcement\ndivision of the Department of Wildlife Resources; (viii) Capitol Police officer;\n(ix) special agent of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority\nappointed under the provisions of Chapter 1 (\u00a7 4.1-100 et seq.) of Title 4.1;\n(x) for such period that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority\nvoluntarily subjects itself to the provisions of this chapter as provided in \u00a7\n65.2-305, officer of the police force established and maintained by the\nMetropolitan Washington Airports Authority; (xi) officer of the police force\nestablished and maintained by the Norfolk Airport Authority; (xii) sworn officer\nof the police force established and maintained by the Virginia Port Authority;\nor (xiii) campus police officer appointed under Article 3 (\u00a7 23.1-809 et seq.)\nof Chapter 8 of Title 23.1 and employed by any public institution of higher\neducation.\n\t\t\t“Mental health professional” means a board-certified psychiatrist\nor a psychologist licensed pursuant to Title 54.1 who has experience diagnosing\nand treating post-traumatic stress disorder.\n\t\t\t“Post-traumatic stress disorder” means a disorder that meets the\ndiagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder as specified in the most\nrecent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders\npublished by the American Psychiatric Association.\n\t\t\t“Qualifying event” means an incident or exposure occurring in the\nline of duty on or after July 1, 2020, for post-traumatic stress disorder, and\nfor purposes of subdivisions 1 through 4 of this definition, on or after July 1,\n2023, for anxiety disorder or depressive disorder:\n\n 1. Resulting in serious bodily injury or death to any person or persons;\n\n 2. Involving a minor who has been injured, killed, abused, or exploited;\n\n 3. Involving an immediate threat to life of the claimant or another\n individual;\n\n 4. Involving mass casualties; or\n\n 5. Responding to crime scenes for investigation.\n\nB. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder\nincurred by a law-enforcement officer or firefighter is compensable under this\ntitle if:\n\n 1. A mental health professional examines a law-enforcement officer or\n firefighter and diagnoses the law-enforcement officer or firefighter as\n suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive\n disorder as a result of the individual’s undergoing a qualifying event;\n\n 2. The post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive\n disorder resulted from the law-enforcement officer’s or\n firefighter’s acting in the line of duty and, in the case of a\n firefighter, such firefighter complied with federal Occupational Safety and\n Health Act standards adopted pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1910.134 and 29 C.F.R.\n 1910.156;\n\n 3. The law-enforcement officer’s or firefighter’s undergoing a\n qualifying event was a substantial factor in causing his post-traumatic stress\n disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder;\n\n 4. Such qualifying event, and not another event or source of stress, was the\n primary cause of the post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or\n depressive disorder; and\n\n 5. The post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive\n disorder did not result from any disciplinary action, work evaluation, job\n transfer, layoff, demotion, promotion, termination, retirement, or similar\n action of the law-enforcement officer or firefighter.\n \t\t\t\tAny such mental health professional shall comply with any workers’\n compensation guidelines for approved medical providers, including guidelines\n on release of past or contemporaneous medical records.\n\nC. Notwithstanding any provision of this title, workers’ compensation\nbenefits for any law-enforcement officer or firefighter payable pursuant to this\nsection shall (i) include any combination of medical treatment prescribed by a\nboard-certified psychiatrist or a licensed psychologist, temporary total\nincapacity benefits under § 65.2-500, and temporary partial incapacity\nbenefits under § 65.2-502 and (ii) be provided for a maximum of 52 weeks\nfrom the date of diagnosis. No medical treatment, temporary total incapacity\nbenefits under § 65.2-500, or temporary partial incapacity benefits under\n§ 65.2-502 shall be awarded beyond four years from the date of the\nqualifying event that formed the basis for the claim for benefits under this\nsection. The weekly benefits received by a law-enforcement officer or a\nfirefighter pursuant to § 65.2-500 or 65.2-502, when combined with other\nbenefits, including contributory and noncontributory retirement benefits, Social\nSecurity benefits, and benefits under a long-term or short-term disability plan,\nbut not including payments for medical care, shall not exceed the average weekly\nwage paid to such law-enforcement officer or firefighter.\n\nD. No later than January 1, 2021, each employer of law-enforcement officers or\nfirefighters shall (i) make peer support available to such law-enforcement\nofficers and firefighters and (ii) refer a law-enforcement officer or\nfirefighter seeking mental health care services to a mental health professional.\n\nE. Each fire basic training program conducted or administered by the Department\nof Fire Programs or a municipal fire department in the Commonwealth shall\nprovide, in consultation with the Department of Behavioral Health and\nDevelopmental Services, resilience and self-care technique training for any\nindividual who begins basic training as a firefighter on or after July 1, 2021.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, cc. 1206, 1262; 2023, cc. 243, 244.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}