SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce advanced a measure that would ensure county coroners and medical examiners are able to receive mental health counseling if needed. 

“Our local coroners and medical examiners have the responsibility of examining the scenes of death and determining the circumstances,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “These can be some disturbing scenes for anyone to witness.”

Senate Bill 2770 would add coroners, deputy coroners, county medical examiners and deputy county medical examiners to the definition of first responders for the purpose of providing them mental health counseling without any cost-sharing.

Coroners and medical examiners, like other first responders, are regularly exposed to traumatic scenes. This legislation would ensure they have access to no-cost mental health counseling, promoting workforce well-being and retention.

“We want the people working in our coroners and medical examiners offices to have long careers,” said Joyce. “Providing the tools to manage stress and trauma is key to that process.”

Senate Bill 2770 passed the Senate Local Government Committee Wednesday with bipartisan support.