TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – 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.