Richard: Will SB 897 Create a Public Safety Risk?

SB 897, by Sen. Richard Roth, D-Riverside, is a bill working its way through the Legislature, and many observers expect it to make its way to the governor’s desk by Wednesday. The bill would provide a second year of Labor Code Section 4850 pay for each injury claimed by police officers and firefighters. A question has arisen as to whether the proposed law would inadvertently risk public safety by creating extended vacancies in police and fire departments, keeping active-duty safety personnel off the streets longer. Current law allows for one year of full pay and a protected le...