State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, has pre-filed legislation to designate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an occupational disease for county coroners and medical examiner personnel for workers’ compensation.

According to Abbarno, similar disease protections currently exist for first responders, law enforcement and firefighters, though they do not extend to county coroners.

“This is a continuation of my efforts to make sure workers responding to traumatic situations in our community get the medical treatment they deserve,” Abbarno said. “Medical examiners and coroners experience post-traumatic stress disorder from their uniquely stressful job responding to tragedy in our communities.”

The proposal is the second time Abbarno has proposed the legislation. While the proposal unanimously cleared the House of Representatives last year and had the backing of a bipartisan group of lawmakers, it died in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.

“Coroners and medical examiners respond to the location of fires, car accidents, and other very sad and tragic situations,” Abbarno said.

“In many cases, they tend to their friends, neighbors, and community members. We need to make sure they receive reasonable and necessary treatment for their PTSD and help them continue doing the very important work in our communities.”

Monday was the first day lawmakers could pre-file legislation ahead of the 2025 session, which is set to convene on Jan. 13. The session will last 105 days.

Abbarno has pre-filed several pieces of legislation for the upcoming session, which includes a bill to establish a permanent state grant program for rural fire districts and departments.