Bill to Make Debit Card Option Permanent Heads to Governor

The California Senate unanimously voted to send the governor a bill that would make the option to pay indemnity benefits with prepaid debit cards permanent. The Senate on Thursday voted 36-0 to pass AB 1683, which would eliminate the Jan. 1, 2027, scheduled sunsetting of the pilot program that allows employers and carriers to use electronic payment cards with the written consent of the injured worker. In February, the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation recommended that lawmakers permanently authorize the program first launched in 2018. Although State Compensation ...