A bill that would require post-traumatic stress disorder benefits for dispatchers and corrections officers be equivalent to other first responders has passed the New York state Assembly. 

State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara's office says the bill would ensure PTSD-related services like diagnosis, treatment and support match what is offered to police officers and firefighters by their municipality.

“First responders run toward danger so others can be safe — and that includes the emergency dispatchers who answer the call and the correction officers who work tirelessly to maintain safety in our correctional facilities,” Santabarbara said. “These are high-stress, high-risk roles that take a serious toll on mental health, yet these professionals have been left behind when it comes to access to PTSD care. This bill finally brings long-overdue fairness.”

While this bill deals with local municipalities, Capital Tonight spoke with an expert on mental health for corrections officers during the state prison strike, who pointed to understaffing and mandatory overtime as having a negative impact. Studies have shown corrections officers deal with PTSD at higher rates than other law enforcement and military veterans. 

The bill passed the Assembly last year, but never advanced out of committee in the state Senate. It's now before the Senate Rules Committee.

Spectrum News 1 has reached out to sponsor Sen. Kevin Parker's office asking about the fate of the bill.