California Governor Signs Workers’ Compensation Bills

Employers that authorize workers’ compensation medical care cannot rescind or modify the authorization for treatment already provided, according to legislation California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, introduced A.B. 361 on behalf of the California Chiropractic Association, according to a legislative analysis of the bill that the governor signed into law during the weekend.

The governor also signed a bill removing a December 31 sunset date from a law that allows employees to designate in advance the doctor who would treat their workers’ comp injuries.

Some employers opposed S.B. 186, introduced by state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, because it allows a pre-designated physician to refer injured workers to specialists outside employers’ provider networks.

Schwarzenegger also signed A.B. 483, introduced by Assemblyman Joan Buchanan, D-San Ramon. It requires the California Workers’ Compensation Rating Bureau to establish a Web site that allows the public to identify whether an employer is insured for workers’ comp claims.

Filed by Roberto Ceniceros of Business Insurance, a sister publication of Workforce Management. To comment, e-mail editors@workforce.com.

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