SACRAMENTO – On June 24, 2021, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Senior Vice President Tina Brazil and Senior Counsel Ryan Navarre presented their support for CSLEA-sponsored Senate Bill 284 – An act to amend Section 3212.15 of the Labor Code, relating to workers’ compensation introduced by Senator Henry Stern (D-Malibu).  Their support for the bill was presented during a California State Assembly Insurance Committee hearing.

Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) presented the bill on behalf Senator Stern and in asking for committee members’ aye votes spoke of the emotionally draining work that first responders, including public safety dispatchers and operators, do in life and death situations.

SB 284 addresses Workers’ Compensation relating to a Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) presumption, adding additional first responders in California to the list of those who are already covered by the workers’ compensation system in this regard.

Under SB 284, Section 3212.15 of the Labor Code would be amended to include public safety dispatchers, operators and emergency communication employees, as well as all state Bargaining Unit 7 peace officers and fire fighters.

SB 284 would provide timely access to needed treatment for the first responders added to the list, said Assemblymember Cooper.  Cooper spoke about his experience as a 30-year law enforcement veteran and having knowledge of the types of calls public safety dispatchers and operators assist with each day.  “Hearing someone’s last dying words, is tough on your soul,” said Cooper, who expressed concern for dispatchers and operators who routinely assist people in desperate need of help – callers who are trapped in burning or sinking vehicles, callers attacked in domestic violence, callers begging for their lives due to some type of emergency.

Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) also spoke in support of the bill stating, “We’re talking about front line individuals.  We need to do what we can to be sure people who serve us are taken care of.”

SB 284 passed the Assembly Insurance Committee 14-0 and will now move to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SB 284 Sponsors include:

• CSLEA,
• PORAC,
• California Professional Firefighters,
• CalNENA