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Today, Gov. Newsom signed Senate Bill 1159, adopting a COVID-19-specific presumption in the workers’ compensation system for employees who test positive for COVID-19. The new law takes effect immediately.
The new law, which is retroactive to July 6, 2020, and expires on Jan. 1, 2023, does four things:
- It codifies the Governor’s executive order, effective March 19-July 5, that created a presumption in the workers’ compensation system for employees who were required to leave their homes to go to work during the stay-at-home order.
- It creates a presumption in the workers’ compensation system for fire, police, and hospital employees.
- It creates a presumption in the workers’ compensation system for employees working in other workplaces that experience an outbreak.
- It requires the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation to evaluate the impact of these presumptions on the workers compensation system.
Because there are many nuances to the new law, CHA has developed an educational video to provide an overview. CHA will also host a complimentary, members-only webinar from 10 a.m. to noon (PT) on Oct. 29 to review all labor and employment legislation that was signed this year.