AG Camacho Calls on Congress to Pass Bill Providing First Responders with Additional Benefits

May 02, 2022 – Tamuning, Guam- Attorney General Leevin Taitano Camacho has joined a bipartisan coalition of 53 attorneys general urging Congress to pass bipartisan legislation that would support public safety officers who become disabled from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or lose their lives to trauma-linked suicide.

“First responders keep our communities safe often by putting their own mental and physical health at risk,” said AG Camacho. “This legislation will give first responders access to mental health care and provide benefits to the families of those who die by suicide.”

The Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022 would close existing gaps in support for public safety officers – including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians – who respond to stressful and potentially traumatic situations. Compared to the general public, they are 25.6 times more likely to develop PTSD and research shows those suffering from PTSD are at increased risk of suicide.

The legislation designates work-related PTSD as a “line-of duty” injury for eligible officers and those disabled from attempted suicide and allows families of officers who die by trauma-linked suicide to apply for death benefits.

This legislation is also endorsed by the American Psychological Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Police Organizations, Sergeants benevolent Association, National Sheriffs Association, Blue H.E.L.P, the National Border Patrol Council, and the United States Capitol Police Labor Committee.

To read the letter, click here.