CA AB872

Limits enhanced industrial disability leave benefits under Government Code Section 19871.3 to State Bargaining Unit 8 firefighters employed by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection only for injuries occurring before January 1, 2022.

Extends leave of absence benefits under Labor Code Section 4800 (one year of salary in lieu of disability payments) to all rank-and-file and supervisory firefighters employed by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and seasonal employees whose principal duties include active fire suppression or prevention for injuries on or after January 1, 2022.

Caps the total benefits available under Section 4800 at 52 weeks (or 156 weeks for burn-related injuries) during the period an employee would otherwise receive temporary disability benefits.

Requires that employees only receive Section 4800 benefits during periods when they would normally be employed, with seasonal employees eligible for temporary disability benefits based on off-season earnings.

Allows seasonal employees who would have been rehired but for their industrial injury to receive remaining Section 4800 benefits in the following season.