Governor Extends Authorization to Pay Benefits by Debit Card

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing carriers to continue using debit cards to pay indemnity benefits for another year. Newsom on Thursday signed AB 489, by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, D-Whittier. The bill postpones the sunsetting of the law allowing debit cards as a method to pay benefits until Jan. 1, 2025. AB 489 is the second measure Calderon has introduced to extend the law first enacted in 2018. Senate Bill 880 created a pilot program allowing electronic benefit cards and requiring the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation to complete a report...