Crime scene technicians and digital forensics technicians are now included as public safety employees who can get up to 12 employer-paid licensed counseling visits after certain traumatic events on the job.
Official title: traumatic event counseling
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeThe counseling program covered members of the public safety or corrections officer retirement systems, certain probation, surveillance and juvenile detention officers, and 911 dispatchers, but did not list crime scene technicians or digital forensics technicians.
NowThe definition of public safety employee now includes crime scene technicians and digital forensics technicians, so the program covers them for up to 12 employer-paid licensed counseling visits after a covered traumatic event in the course of duty.
BeforeLaws 2016, chapter 240, section 2 and Laws 2018, chapter 259, section 3, both as amended in 2022, were in effect.
NowThose 2 earlier session law sections are repealed. The text does not show what they said.
Who it affects
- Crime scene technicians
- Digital forensics technicians
- The state and political subdivisions (such as cities and counties) that employ them
- Arizona Department of Administration, which compiles yearly program data
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- What the repealed 2016 and 2018 session law sections said or did
- Whether crime scene or digital forensics technicians who are also peace officers are covered
- How a crime scene technician or digital forensics technician is defined
- Whether employers will receive any added funding for the expanded coverage
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.