PD Increase Bill Clears Calif. Legislature Again

A California Senate bill to increase permanent disability benefits is headed to the governor's desk after the Assembly took up legislation that had languished for two months and appeared dead. The Assembly approved SB 936 on Monday on a 46-31 vote. The votes were cast along party lines, with Democrats favoring the workers' compensation legislation by Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland. SB 936 would double the number of weeks of benefits awarded for permanent disabilities. Although the bill was placed on the Assembly agenda for a final vote this week, one high-ranking legislative staffer said i...