A Senate committee reported House Bill 2797 to the full Senate with amendments expanding which mental-health professionals may diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a compensable workers’ compensation condition. The committee substitute adds certified mental health nurse practitioners and physician assistants who meet specified education and licensing requirements.

Counsel explained that the bill expands the list of professionals who may diagnose PTSD for workers’ compensation purposes, requires that psychiatrists and psychologists be licensed and that any added providers hold a master’s degree or higher and a terminal license within their professions. The amendment removes the sunset clause that had been applied to prior 2021 changes.

During discussion the Senior Senator from the Seventeenth asked whether nurse practitioners and physician assistants have a recognized certification for psychiatric practice; counsel said her understanding is that such certifications exist and that the language as amended would require appropriate psychiatric certification. The senator also proposed adding physician assistants explicitly; the committee adopted an amendment to add physician assistants and then adopted a conforming amendment to make the change consistent throughout the bill.

The vice chair moved the bill, as amended, be reported to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation; the motion was adopted by voice vote.

Counsel said the effective date is 90 days, the title needs amendment and a fiscal note submitted by the insurance commissioner indicated no fiscal impact because the measure expands who may diagnose PTSD rather than creating a new benefit. No other government agency impacts were listed in committee remarks.

If enacted, HB 2797 would broaden the range of licensed professionals authorized to certify PTSD as compensable, and the bill removes a prior sunset provision.