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Legislators Push Back On Administration’s SIBTF Proposal

Assemblyman Liz Ortega (D-Hayward) pushed administration officials hard about their use of the budget trailer bill process to enact sweeping reforms to the troubled Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) instead of the standard policy hearing process. Ortega was able to secure an additional hearing on the proposal as part of the budget process, but … Read More »

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Bill Proposes More Attorney Disbarments

Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) amended AB 2039 last week to propose strict penalties for attorneys caught in capping arrangements. The bill would require an attorney to be disbarred if convicted as part of a capping scheme. The measure also proposes protections for whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing. The California State Bar is notorious for … Read More »

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Amended Bill Brings Back Medical Leave Protections

A San Jose Assemblyman is bringing back legislation designed to protect injured workers from retaliation for seeking medical care for industrial injuries during work hours. The amended bill requires injured workers to make a “reasonable effort” to obtain treatment outside work hours, but offers protections if they are unable to do so. Employers that deny … Read More »

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Criminal Accident Investigations For Death, PTD Cases

Assemblyman Liz Ortega (D-Hayward) amended a bill last week to strip Cal/OSHA’s Bureau of Investigations of its authority to investigate workplace incidents where there is a death or permanent total disability of a worker. The bill would hand the investigative responsibility directly to district attorneys. AB 2321 calls on the unit to develop written policies … Read More »

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Coverage For Out-Of-State Volunteer Health Practitioners

A bill to establish guidelines for out-of-state medical professionals responding to declared emergencies in California would require the State to cover these volunteers for workers’ compensation. The bill, AB 1558 by Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), would enact the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act to create volunteer registration systems for out-of-state health practitioners responding to … Read More »

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New DIR, DWC Leaders Speak to SIBTF & Other Issues

The Division of Workers’ Compensation’s annual educational forum opened last week under the direction of a new leadership team at the Division and the Department of Industrial Relations. DIR Director Jennifer Osborn noted that she is still months away from her first anniversary in the position, and acting DWC Administrative Director Nicole Richardson has been … Read More »

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WCIRB Files Regulatory Changes

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau officially requested approval of across-the-board increases to the dual wage thresholds, as well as increases in payroll minimums and maximums in limited classes. The California Department of Insurance will take public comment and hold a hearing later this spring on the proposed changes for September 1, 2026, policies. The … Read More »

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Prepaid Debit Card Authorization Bill

The Assembly Insurance Committee is carrying AB 1683 to end the sunset date on a program that allows workers’ comp carriers, third-party administrators, and self-insured employers to distribute workers’ comp indemnity benefits via prepaid debit cards. The prepaid cards have been authorized under a pilot program since 2018. A report released last fall showed that … Read More »

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