HomeMy WebLinkAboutAB 2451 LTR to Gov. Brown 201209171 1, Y 0
Ott city of sAn tuts IoBispo
n IQ — -
�� OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
4/ g O� 990 Palm Street ■ San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249 ■ 805/781-7119
September 17, 2012
VIA FACSIMILE ONLY 916-558-3177
The Honorable Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Governor, State of California
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: AB 2451 (Perez, John A.): Workers' compensation: firefighters and peace officers
Request for a Veto (As Amended 812012012)
Dear Governor Brown,
The City of San Luis Obispo respectfully requests that you veto AB 2451. AB 2451 would
extend the statute of limitations from 240 weeks to 480 weeks for a presumptive death benefit
claim for cancer, tuberculosis, or MRSA to be filed on behalf of a firefighter or peace officer.
Under current law, death benefit claims for workers' compensation are to be commenced within
one year of: the date of death when death occurs within one year from the date of injury; the date
of the last furnishing of workers' compensation benefits when death occurs more than one year
from the date of injury; or the date of death when death occurs more than one year after the date
of injury and workers' compensation benefits have been furnished. Current law additionally
requires that no claims may commence unless the death has occurred. within 240 weeks of the
date of injury, with few exceptions.
While the August 20, 2012 amendments significantly narrow the bill's scope, it still doubles the
statute of limitations for specific presumptive injuries. This increased benefit will impose
additional costs on public employers at a time when we can least afford it and when we are
struggling to provide the most basic services.
Additionally, we believe that AB 2451 erodes the original intent of the Workers' Compensation
Act and subsequent reforms to the system enacted in 2004, designed to provide fair and timely
benefits to injured employees at a reasonable cost to employers.
For these reasons, the City of San Luis Obispo requests that you veto AB 2451.
incerely,�
an Marx
Mayor
Cc: City Council
Speaker Perez, Fax (916) 319-2146
Natasha Karl, League of California Cities, Fax (916) 658-8240
David Mullinax, League of California Cities