AB 551 – Extends Current Disability Retirement Presumptions Regarding COVID-19 For Members Of Various Public Employee Retirement Systems Until January 1, 2024

In 2021, AB 845 created a temporary rule requiring California’s public retirement systems to presume that a disability retirement arose out of employment, making the member eligible for industrial disability benefits, if the retirement was based at least in part on a COVID-19 related illness if certain criteria are met. Specifically, the presumption applies to (1) firefighters, public safety officers, certain healthcare workers, and equivalent classifications, and (2) members in other job classifications who test positive during a COVID-19 outbreak at the member’s workplace.

This presumption was originally set to sunset automatically on January 1, 2023. AB 551 extends the statutory presumption until January 1, 2024.

(AB 551 amends section 7523.2 of the Government Code.)