A bill adopted by California legislators on Saturday would double workers compensation permanent disability benefits over three years.
Senate Bill 1717, opposed by employers and sponsored by Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland, would double benefit payments by increasing the number of weeks injured workers receive benefits.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has not yet said whether he will sign or veto S.B. 1717, which is among several workers comp bills passed by legislators.
S.B. 1115, for instance, would prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, age, or gender when apportioning medical causation to determine an employer’s liability for permanent disability injuries.
Employer groups oppose S.B. 1115, which is sponsored by Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco.