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Gov. Scott Signs Legislation Expanding PTSD Benefits for First Responders

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Governor Rick Scott today signed SB 376, a bill expanding PTSD benefits for first responders at the Tampa Firefighter Museum. The Governor was joined by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Congressman Gus Billarakis, Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran, Senate President Designate Bill Galvano, Senator Lauren Book, Senator Dana Young, Senator Kathleen Passidomo, Senator Doug Broxson, Senator George Gainer, Senator Debbie Mayfield, Representative Matt Willhite, Representative Jim Boyd, Representative Shawn Harrison, Representative Jamie Grant, Representative Chris Sprowls, Representative Wengay Newton, and Representative Jackie Toledo.

Gov. Rick Scott Signs Top Legislation of CFO Jimmy Patronis Benefiting Florida’s First Responders

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Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis and Gov. Rick Scott today honored first responders in Tampa as the governor signed Senate Bill 376 surrounded by hundreds of first responders and their families. The bill allows first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to access mental health benefits through Florida’s workers’ compensation system.

Governor Rick Scott said, “I’m proud to sign SB 376 today to help our first responders receive the help that they deserve. Florida is home to the best first responders in the nation and we will continue to provide them support. I want to thank Jimmy and the Florida Legislature for their work on this important bill.”

CFO Patronis said, “From day one, this has been a life or death issue. Our first responders are attempting suicide at a rate that is exponentially higher than the general population. We know that with the right treatment our first responders who suffer from PTSD can get the help they need. Before this bill, Florida’s workers’ compensation system failed too many of our brave heroes. Signing this bill into law tells every first responder that Florida has your back. That it’s okay to get help and treatment. That you are not alone. Thank you to Gov. Rick Scott for his continued support of our first responders.”

Governor Scott to Sign Legislation Expanding PTSD Benefits for First Responders

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Tomorrow, March 27th, Governor Rick Scott will sign a bill expanding PTSD benefits for first responders at the Tampa Firefighter Museum. The Governor will be joined by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.

WHAT: Bill Signing

WHEN: 2:00 PM

WHERE: Tampa Firefighter Museum
720 Zack Street
Tampa, FL 33602

Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis: Unanimous Support for First Responders, Consumers, and Florida’s Military Community

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Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis today praised the Florida legislature for the unanimous support of his 2018 legislative priorities including fighting for first responders, protecting consumers from fraud, making Florida a more military friendly state, and streamlining and modernizing government.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis stated, “After hearing from our first responder community, we fought hard so that they can now have access to mental health benefits. When the Equifax data breach impacted millions, we made it easier for Floridians to protect themselves from fraud.  My mission is to make Florida an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. Laws on the books should work for our residents, not against them.”

Key reforms advocated by CFO Patronis included the following:

Fighting for Our First Responders
Senate Bill 376: CFO Patronis’ top priority was to increase access to mental health benefits for Florida’s first responders. This legislation allows first responders to file a workers’ compensation claim for a mental injury without an accompanying physical injury.

Protecting Florida Consumers from Fraud 
House Bill 953: CFO Patronis fought to make it easier for Floridians to protect themselves from fraud. This legislation eliminates the fee that credit reporting agencies were allowed to charge for Floridians to freeze their credit.

Making Florida More Military Friendly
House Bill 29: CFO Patronis worked to make it easier for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, their spouses and honorably discharged veterans to take charge of their economic futures by removing certain licensing and training fees for the Division of Funeral, Cemetery and Consumer Services, the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services, and the Division of State Fire Marshal.

Streamlining Government 
House Bill 1073: CFO Patronis worked to modernize the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and better protect Florida consumers. This legislation includes streamlining the appointment process for non-resident adjustors and providing a pathway for better communication between local governments and DFS. Additionally, the bill reduces regulatory costs for licensees.

Returning Every Cent of Unclaimed Property 
House Bill 1361: CFO Patronis’ mission is to return unclaimed property back to its rightful owners, but it can be difficult if account information submitted is incomplete. This legislation includes uniform standards for account information provided to CFO Patronis’ Division of Unclaimed Property from local Clerks of Court.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Thanks the Legislature for Funding Much-Needed Pay Raises for First Responders

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement today thanking the legislature for funding much-needed pay raises for first responders:

“I thank the legislature for standing with our first responders and funding pay raises for our department’s law enforcement officers and wildland firefighters, who are demonstrably underpaid compared to other state and local agencies. These raises will help us recruit and retain the best of the best to keep Floridians and visitors safe when lives and property are on the line.”

Starting pay for the department’s law enforcement officers is $31,880 and the starting pay for Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters is $26,580, substantially less than their counterparts in other state and local agencies resulting in high turnover in these critically important positions. The budget item, pending approval from the Governor, would provide a several thousand dollar increase for each of these positions to bring their pay in line with other competing employers and improve retention.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis Statement on Governor Rick Scott’s Intent to Sign PTSD Bill for First Responders

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding Gov. Rick Scott’s announcement at the Ringing of the Bell ceremony for Florida’s fallen firefighters that he intends to sign Senate Bill 376, increasing mental health benefits for first responders. Gov. Scott also issued a proclamation declaring today, March 7, 2018, as Firefighter Appreciation Day.

“I want to thank Governor Rick Scott for his intent to sign this great legislation that helps Florida’s brave first responders get the mental health benefits they need. Gov. Scott’s announcement today shows his continued leadership and commitment to this community. PTSD is a hidden killer among our first responders. It’s critical that we do everything possible to ensure first responders are not alone as they cope with the horrific images they see daily. Today, was not only a day to honor those we have lost, but to celebrate the lives we could save.”

Commissioner Putnam Asks Legislative Leadership to Stand with First Responders, Fund Much-Needed Pay Raises

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement today urging legislative leadership to fund much-needed pay raises for first responders:

“Leading up to legislative session, I asked legislative leadership to fund modest pay raises for our department’s law enforcement officers and wildland firefighters, who are demonstrably underpaid compared to other state and local agencies. These raises will help us recruit and retain the best of the best to keep Floridians and visitors safe when lives and property are on the line. I continue to ask legislative leadership to stand with Florida’s first responders and fund these much-needed and well-deserved raises.”

Starting pay for the department’s law enforcement officers is $31,880 and the starting pay for Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters is $26,580, substantially less than their counterparts in other state and local agencies resulting in high turnover in these critically important positions.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis: Florida Shows Up for First Responders Struggling with PTSD

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the final unanimous passage of his top legislative priority, Senate Bill 376. The bill will now be ready to head to Gov. Rick Scott for signature.

“From day one this has been a life or death issue. Our firefighters are attempting suicide at a rate FIVE TIMES HIGHER than the general population, and they are thinking about suicide at a rate NINE TIMES HIGHER than the general population. We’ve heard horrific stories about loss of life, and the impact tragedy has on our first responders and their families.

“First responders show up for us every day, without hesitation or questioning our politics, and today Florida showed up for them. Last year four states, including Texas, increased mental health benefits for first responders. I’m proud we can now add Florida to that list.

“To those who refused to support this measure from the beginning: we got it done without you.

“Thank you to Senate President Joe Negron, Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran, Sen. Lauren Book, Rep. Matt Willhite, and all of the co-sponsors in both chambers.”

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis: We Can’t Hesitate to Pass Mental Health Benefits for Our First Responders

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the unanimous approval of Senate Bill 376 today by the Florida Senate Committee on Rules.

“Last year, four states, including Texas, passed measures that give first responders the needed access to mental health benefits for first responders, with three of those states doing it through the workers’ compensation system. This year we MUST add Florida to this list.

“Our first responders serve us every day without hesitation. There should never be a hesitation to help them. I urge the House and Senate to QUICKLY pass this needed legislation this year.”

The next stop for SB 376, sponsored by Sen. Lauren Book, is the Senate floor.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis: It would be Shameful if our First Responders Suffering from PTSD are Forgotten

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the unanimous approval of House Bill 227 today by the Florida House of Representatives Government Accountability Committee.

“Our firefighters are attempting suicide at a rate FIVE TIMES HIGHER than the general population. Suicide is not a solution and we cannot ignore this issue any longer. Our conversations about mental health care in the wake of Parkland must include this reform that would allow first responders to access the mental health benefits they need.

“I urge the House and Senate to continue to move QUICKLY and ensure our first responders aren’t left behind.”

The next stop for HB 227, sponsored by Rep. Matt Willhite, is the House floor.