Posttraumatic Stress in California's Workers' Compensation System: A Study of Mental Health Presumptions for Firefighters and Peace Officers Under Senate Bill 542

In 2019, California enacted Senate Bill 542, creating a legal presumption that posttraumatic stress disorder in firefighters and peace officers is a work-related injury and compensable under workers' compensation. The authors evaluate the prevalence of mental health conditions among first responders and discuss implications for future policy.