traumatic event counseling

More counseling for public safety technicians

Arizona and local governments must pay for up to 12 licensed counseling visits for covered public safety employees exposed to qualifying events at work. Visits may be by telehealth. Covered events include witnessing a person’s death or maiming, investigating a dangerous crime against children, or needing rescue when the employee’s life was in danger. Crime scene and digital forensics technicians are included; peace officers and firefighters are excluded. Employer payment does not mean a workers’ compensation claim is automatically approved. Governments must collect program and missed-work data each year and report it; HIPAA-protected data cannot be disclosed. Some existing state programs are exempt if they meet the law’s payment, counseling, and annual visit requirements.