SACRAMENTO – On May 13, 2014, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1035, authored by Assemblymember John A. Pérez.
AB 1035 gives more time for survivors of firefighters and peace officers stricken by job-related diseases to apply for benefits.
The bill extends the time period allowed for survivors of firefighters and peace officers who died from specified injuries, such as cancer, tuberculosis, any bloodborne infectious disease or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections, to file a workers’ compensation claim from 240 weeks to 420 weeks after the initial date of injury. This measure also requires that claims be filed within one year after the date of death.
“Many of our peace officer and firefighter members routinely have contact with chemicals and dangerous pathogens in the performance of their duties,” said Alan Barcelona, president of the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association.
The Governor signed the bill during National Police Week, which was established by a proclamation signed in 1962 marking May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day by then President John F. Kennedy.
AB 1035 is effective only until January 1, 2019, at which point data collected from the Division of Workers’ Compensation will be examined to determine reauthorization of the statute.
