Calif. WC Bills Aim to Aid Employers

Three bills (AB 1808, 1809, 2611) geared toward helping employers with workers' compensation have been introduced in the California Legislature, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Written by Assemblyman Keith Richman, the bills follow legislation signed two months ago by Gov. Gray Davis, that allows more benefits for workers injured while on the job. Richman indicated that employers could see increase up to 40 percent in workers' comp premiums with the new law, along with market forces and inflation. Davis' legislation signed into law Feb. 15 increased workers' comp benefits by $2.4 billion. The bills will be discussed April 24 by the Assembly Insurance Committee.