CA AB586

Amends Labor Code Section 4850 to provide paid leave of absence (up to one year) to specified public employees disabled by work-related injury or illness, in lieu of temporary disability payments.

Extends paid leave protections to certain City and County of San Francisco employees, including police officers and firefighters, effective retroactively to January 1, 2010.

Exempts employees whose principal duties are administrative (telephone operators, clerks, stenographers, mechanics) and do not fall within active law enforcement or firefighting service.

Requires employers with insurance to allow insurers to pay disability indemnity directly to the employer, offsetting the paid leave obligation.

Declares the act an urgency statute taking effect immediately upon Governor approval on July 15, 2010.