2025 California Workers' Compensation Bills to Watch

By Adam Dombchik

Every spring, the California Legislature reviews new bills that could significantly impact injured workers’ rights and benefits. For more than 40 years, the attorneys at GEKLAW have actively participated in this legislative process, advocating for fair and just outcomes for California’s injured workers.

 This year’s legislative session is no exception. With at least a dozen workers' compensation bills under consideration that could alter the landscape of the workers’ compensation benefit system, we are closely tracking the development of each. Following are some of the most notable bills currently moving through the legislature.

SB 8 (Ashby): Expanded Salary Continuation for Sacramento County Park Rangers

This bill proposes expanding Labor Code Section 4850 benefits to include park rangers employed by Sacramento County. If passed, these employees would receive up to 52 weeks of full salary in lieu of temporary disability benefits, aligning their rights with those already granted to Los Angeles County Park Rangers.

SB 230 (Laird): PTSD and Cancer Presumptions for Airport Firefighters

SB 230 would extend the cancer and PTSD presumptions (under Labor Codes 3212.1 and 3212.15) to include firefighters working at FAA-regulated commercial airports. This would provide these workers with the same access to presumptive workers’ compensation benefits already available to other categories of firefighters.

SB 447 (Umberg): Health Coverage Continuation for Children of Fallen First Responders

This bill ensures that children of deceased firefighters and peace officers continue to receive health benefits until age 26, up from the current age limit of 21. The change aims to provide greater support to families who have lost a parent in the line of duty.

SB 632 (Arreguin): Expanded Presumptions for Hospital Workers

SB 632 would establish a broad range of presumptive coverage for employees providing direct patient care in acute care hospitals. Covered conditions would include infectious diseases, cancer, musculoskeletal injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder and COVID-19. If passed, this bill could significantly improve access to benefits for frontline healthcare workers.

AB 1125 (Nguyen): Updated Heart Trouble Presumption for State Hospital Peace Officers

This bill amends Labor Code Section 3212.2 by removing obsolete references and clarifying that any peace officers employed by the Department of State Hospitals are eligible for the presumption that heart-related conditions are work-related.

AB 1336 (Addis): Presumption for Heat-Related Injuries in Agriculture

AB 1336 establishes a presumption that heat-related injuries are work-related if the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board finds that an agricultural employer failed to comply with heat illness prevention standards. This measure is especially important given the increasing frequency of extreme heat events across California.

AB 1498 (Soria): Medical Provider Network Access in San Joaquin Valley

This bill directs the state to create a centralized medical provider network database for the San Joaquin Valley, improving access to physicians for injured workers in that region. If an employer’s network cannot provide care within 30 days, the injured worker would be allowed to seek care outside of it. Physicians must meet criteria including:

• Good standing with the Medical Board of California
• Compliance with the official medical fee schedule

The bill would require the administrative director to implement the network no later than January 1, 2027.

SB 555 (Caballero): Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Permanent Disability

SB 555 proposes adjustments to the permanent disability benefits equal to the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), for those injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2024. This would help ensure that disability benefits keep pace with inflation.

Summary

It is early in the legislative session, and the language, scope and intent of these bills could change. GEKLAW is committed to keeping our clients and colleagues apprised of any final legislative changes signed into law by Governor Newsom.

 If you’ve been injured in a work-related accident or injury of this type, the best action is to seek the advice of a lawyer knowledgeable in California Workers’ Compensation Law. The legal experts at GEKLAW are here to help you understand your rights and pursue the benefits you deserve.