CA AB2397

Allows public employees (police officers, firefighters, sheriffs, probation officers, and similar positions) who are disabled by work-related injuries or illness to take paid leave without losing salary for up to one year instead of receiving temporary disability payments.

Permits employees and employers to mutually agree through collective bargaining to extend the paid leave beyond one year for a maximum of one additional year (up to two years total).

Applies only to employees working on a regular, full-time basis and excludes administrative staff such as clerks, telephone operators, and mechanics whose duties fall outside active law enforcement or firefighting service.

Provides that if the employer is insured, the insurer may pay disability indemnity payments to the employer rather than directly to the employee.

Specifies that this leave does not count toward or reduce family care and medical leave entitlements under California Government Code Section 12945.2, and does not apply to employees of the City and County of San Francisco.