Illinois House Bill 1292 was introduced proposing a PTSD presumption for first responders. The bill would apply to those who developed PTSD due to the hazards of employment as a firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT), or paramedic.

Meanwhile, Illinois House Bill 1309 was also introduced, proposing changes to the rebuttal of certain  health conditions for first responders – this bill would include PTSD if the prior bill were to pass.

House Bill 1309 would shift the burden of proof for a rebuttal to the employing entity. Any party attacking the presumption must establish by clear and convincing evidence an independent and non-work related cause for the condition or disability and prove that no aspect of the employment contributed to the condition.

This bill also provides that the rebuttable presumption relating to hearing loss cannot be overcome with evidence allegedly showing that the injured employee did not meet specified exposure thresholds.