Brown Signs Bill Expanding Timeframe for Death Benefits Claims
On Tuesday, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed into law a bill (AB 1035) that will grant family members more time to file a claim for death benefits when a public safety worker, such as a law enforcement officer or a firefighter, dies from a work-related illness, the AP/Fresno Bee reports.
Details of New Law
The new law expands the amount of time family members have to file such a claim from four-and-a-half years to eight years.
Work-related illnesses covered under the law include:
- Blood-borne infectious diseases;
- Cancer;
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA; and
- Tuberculosis.
According to a release, fewer than 20 cases per year of employees contracting such diseases on the job are reported.
The measure was supported by organizations representing law enforcement officers and firefighters. It was opposed by:
- The California State Association of Counties; and
- The League of California Cities (AP/Fresno Bee, 5/13).