AB 1028: Workers' compensation.

Existing law establishes a workers compensation system to compensate an employee for injuries arising out of, and in the course of, his or her employment. Existing law designates illnesses and conditions that constitute a compensable injury for various employees, such as members of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, firefighters, and certain peace officers. These injuries include, but are not limited to, hernia, pneumonia, heart trouble, meningitis, lower back impairments, under certain conditions, and exposure to a biochemical substance when the illness or condition develops or manifests itself during a period when the officer or employee is in service of his or her employer, as specified.

Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to establish a security department or a police department to ensure the safety of school district personnel and pupils and the security of the real and personal property of the school district. Existing law provides that persons employed and compensated as members of a police department of a school district, when appointed and duly sworn, are peace officers. Existing law designates persons who meet specified criteria as peace officers.

This bill would expand the coverage of the workers compensation provisions relating to specified compensable injuries to include peace officers employed by the police department of a school district. The bill would also make technical and clarifying changes. The bill would state the intent of the Legislature regarding those provisions.