General Assembly Passes Act to Support Firefighters Suffering from PTSD
The General Assembly passed the James ‘Dustin’ Samples Act, which seeks to provide support to firefighters following a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. This is a legislative initiative funded by the General Assembly.
“I am extremely grateful that Dustin’s legacy will live on and he will continue to do what he loved doing – helping others and saving lives. I know the funding of the James ‘Dustin’ Samples Act will continue to build awareness, support, and resources to those who have experienced unspeakable traumas. By passing this bill, the Tennessee General Assembly has shown that it is okay to reach out for help and Tennessee supports those who protect them every day,” said Jennifer Samples, widow of Captain Dustin Samples.
Sponsored by Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) and Representative Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville), the legislation makes clear that a firefighter’s PTSD diagnosis connected to one or more calls of a particularly traumatic nature is presumed to be an injury suffered in the course of employment and qualifies for resources through their workers’ compensation benefits plan.
The bill establishes a grant program to mitigate the cost to an employer providing worker’s compensation for firefighters diagnosed with PTSD. In order to qualify for the grant, employers must provide mental health resiliency training as part of their continuing education program.
The bill is named in honor of Captain James ‘Dustin’ Samples of the Cleveland Fire Department, who tragically died by suicide in 2020 after a years-long struggle with PTSD.
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