Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation
Information Bulletin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
February 13, 2002 Christine Baker
(415) 703-4220

CHSWC Approves Call for Information on Labor Code Section 132a

SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC) approved plans for additional research at its public meeting on February 8, 2002 in San Francisco.

CHSWC will explore whether stopping medical benefits according to statute, union contract, or company policy violates California Labor Code Section 132a. CHSWC decided to convene a group to obtain more background information on Labor Code Section 132a and related court decisions regarding medical benefits. The focus will be on potential conflicts between the Education Code and the Labor Code.

CHSWC, created by the workers' compensation reform legislation of 1993, is charged with overseeing the health and safety and workers' compensation systems in California and recommending administrative or legislative modifications to improve their operation. The Commission was established to conduct a continuing examination of the workers' compensation system and of the state's activities to prevent industrial injuries and occupational diseases and to examine those programs in other states.

Since its inception in 1994, CHSWC has held meetings, conducted fact-finding hearings, and directed several studies to determine how these crucial programs are serving California employees and employers. These studies, conducted by independent research organizations under contract with the Commission, and other activities were aided by the involvement of state agency personnel and interested members of the workers’ compensation community. This cooperative public-private partnership continues to work together to identify, describe, measure and propose solutions to problems and difficulties in the current health and safety and workers’ compensation systems.

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For any questions regarding this bulletin, please contact:
Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC)
455 Golden Gate Avenue, 10th Floor, San Francisco,  CA  94102
Email:  chswc@dir.ca.gov     Phone:  (415) 703-4220    Fax:  (415) 703-4234     Contact Person:  Christine Baker