CA AB516

Amends Labor Code Section 4453 to establish workers' compensation benefit limits for county jail inmates and inmates in work release programs for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2010.

Sets temporary disability benefits for eligible inmates at not less than their average weekly earnings from all employers, nor more than $1,260 or 1.5 times the state average weekly wage, whichever is greater.

Requires annual increases to the maximum benefit limit beginning January 1, 2010, equal to the percentage increase in the state average weekly wage compared to the prior year.

Defines "state average weekly wage" as the average weekly wage paid to employees covered by unemployment insurance in California for the 12 months ending March 31 of the year preceding the injury.

Applies to inmates of any county jail and inmates assigned to a county work release program under Penal Code Section 4024.2.