BILL NUMBER: AB 149	CHAPTERED  10/12/03

	CHAPTER  831
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  OCTOBER 12, 2003
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  OCTOBER 11, 2003
	PASSED THE SENATE  SEPTEMBER 12, 2003
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 12, 2003
	CONFERENCE REPORT NO.  1
	PROPOSED IN CONFERENCE  SEPTEMBER 9, 2003
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 14, 2003

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Cohn

                        JANUARY 21, 2003

   An act to amend Section 5406.5 of the Labor Code, relating to
workers' compensation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 149, Cohn.  Workers' compensation:  asbestosis.
   Existing law provides that an injury of an employee arising out of
and in the course of employment is generally compensable through the
workers' compensation system.
   Existing law provides that in the case of death of an asbestos
worker from asbestosis, the period for commencing proceedings for the
collection of specified workers' compensation benefits is one year
from the date of death.
   This bill would also apply this period to the death of a
firefighter from asbestosis.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 5406.5 of the Labor Code is amended to read:
   5406.5.  In the case of the death of an asbestos worker or
firefighter from asbestosis, the period within which proceedings may
be commenced for the collection of the benefits provided by Article 4
(commencing with Section 4700) of Chapter 2 of Part 2 is one year
from the date of death.