Benefit Bill Gets Some Numbers, Employers and Insurers Swoon

SACRAMENTO -- State Senator Hilda Solis, the El Monte Democrat who authored this year's major benefit increase bill, presented the "new and improved" version May 24 at a small Capitol news conference. It's the first time real numbers have been plugged into the bill, and it was a moment of great anticipation for all stakeholders in the workers' comp community.A major provision of the bill - SB 320 - would increase maximum temporary disability benefits to $651 per week from the current maximum of $490.