A bill introduced Monday in California would revise how workers’ compensation benefits are calculated and administered for workers who suffer multiple industrial injuries.
A.B. 1576 proposes changes to several sections of state law governing permanent partial disability under subsequent-injury benefits. Among other provisions, the bill would update eligibility and payment rules under the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund, which provides additional compensation to workers whose combined disabilities meet statutory thresholds.
The measure also would shift trusteeship of the trust fund from the State Compensation Insurance Fund to the director of the Department of Industrial Relations and require the Division of Workers’ Compensation to maintain a qualified medical evaluator database and related administrative standards.
The bill has been referred to a committee. No hearing date has been scheduled.