An update by Jennifer Roe, Capitol Advocacy

SB 284, CSLEA-sponsored legislation authored by Senator Henry Stern (D-Malibu), which adds additional first responders to the list of those already covered by the workers’ compensation rebuttable presumption for Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI), was made a two – year bill at the end of this year’s session, making SB 284 eligible to be heard and move to the Governor’s desk in 2022.

Although SB 284 moved through the Senate and Assembly committees largely unopposed, CSLEA and co-sponsors Peace Officer Research Association of California, California Professional Firefighters, and the California Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association, moved the bill to the Assembly’s inactive file prior to taking the bill up for a vote of the full Assembly.

The Administration desires to take a more comprehensive view of workers’ compensation reform in the fall and therefore, asked us to hold the bill in the Legislature until next year.  At this point there is no cause for concern because the bill is eligible to move next year.  It is our intention to engage early with the Administration and all other stakeholders this fall, to reach consensus on this bill, and get it successfully signed into law in 2022.