Albany, NY – The New York State Assembly today passed Assembly Bill A.3549, a critical measure aimed at addressing mental health disparities among first responders by extending access to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) benefits to emergency dispatchers and correction officers. Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-119), a proud cosponsor of the legislation, praised its passage as a long-overdue step toward parity and support for those who work on the front lines of public safety.

The bill ensures that these frontline public servants are granted the same access to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) services currently provided to police officers and firefighters.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. First responders, particularly correction officers and emergency dispatchers, face an elevated risk of developing PTSD due to the high-stress and emotionally charged nature of their work. Studies have shown that an estimated 19% - 31% of correctional officers exhibit symptoms consistent with PTSD, rates that are comparable to or even higher than those seen in military veterans.

Emergency dispatchers, often the first point of contact during life-threatening emergencies, also report high rates of PTSD, with some surveys showing nearly 25% affected. Despite their critical roles, these professionals have historically lacked equal access to mental health services.

“Every day, emergency dispatchers and correction officers answer the call, often unseen, but never unfelt. They carry the weight of unimaginable trauma, working tirelessly behind the scenes to protect our communities. This bill affirms what we should have acknowledged long ago: their mental health matters just as much as that of any other first responder,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “As a proud co-sponsor, I’m deeply moved to help deliver the respect, care, and support these heroes so rightfully deserve.”

Under the legislation, municipal employers must offer dispatchers and correction officers equal access to PTSD diagnosis and treatment services, using the same policies and procedures in place for police and firefighters. The bill also protects collective bargaining agreements and allows unions to negotiate even stronger mental health protections.

“To every dispatcher who is steadied their voice during someone’s worst moment, and to every correction officer who is walked into uncertainty to maintain order, I see you. I hear you. And I will never stop fighting to make sure New York sees and values you too,” she continued. “This legislation is more than policy, it’s a promise that your sacrifices will not be overlooked.”

The bill passed the Assembly today and has been delivered to the Senate for consideration.