CA SB632

Creates rebuttable presumptions that infectious diseases, cancer, musculoskeletal injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and respiratory diseases developing in hospital employees who provide direct patient care in acute care hospitals arose out of and in the course of employment

Infectious diseases covered include MRSA, bloodborne diseases, tuberculosis, meningitis, and COVID-19, with presumptions extending 3 months per year of employment up to 60 months after termination (90 days for MRSA skin infections)

Cancer presumption applies when employees demonstrate exposure to known carcinogens and extends up to 120 months after termination; musculoskeletal injury and respiratory disease presumptions extend up to 60 months after termination

Post-traumatic stress injury presumption requires diagnosis by a mental health professional and extends up to 36 months after termination

Legislative findings note that nearly 90% of registered nurses are women, while professions already receiving similar workers' compensation presumptions (firefighters, police, EMTs) are predominantly male, framing this as addressing gender inequality in workplace protections