First Responders
What is HB 2502 / Craig Tiger Act?
- Traumatic event counseling for public safety employees
- Traumatic event counseling for peace officers and firefighters
Peace officers and firefighters who are exposed to any one of the following events while in the course of duty (must be provided with) up to twelve visits of licensed counseling, which may be provided through telehealth, paid for by the employer:
- Visually witnessing the death or maiming or visually witnessing the immediate aftermath of such a death or maiming of one or more human beings.
- Responding to or being directly involved in a criminal investigation of an offense involving a dangerous crime against children as defined in section 13-705.
- Requiring rescue in the line of duty where one’s life was endangered.
- 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.
- Witnessing the death of another peace officer or firefighter while engaged in the line of duty.
- Responding to or being directly involved in an investigation regarding the drowning or near drowning of a child.
In addition to providing paid time off and counseling services, peace officers and firefighters may also take up to 30 paid calendar days off to engage in treatment.