Leave of absence: firefighters.

Existing law establishes a workers' compensation system, administered by the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, to compensate an employee for injuries sustained in the course of employment. Among other workers' compensation benefits, existing law entitles a member of the Department of Justice who comes within the "state peace officer/firefighter" class, a law enforcement officer employed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a harbor police officer employed by the San Francisco Port Commission, as specified, who is disabled by injury arising out of and in the course of the member's duties, to a leave of absence while so disabled without loss of salary, in lieu of disability payments, for a period not exceeding one year. Under existing law, workers' compensation benefits, including salary paid in lieu of disability payments, is not taxable income. Existing law also provides for enhanced industrial leave benefits for specified state employees, including members of State Bargaining Unit 8, such as 52 weeks of salary less specified tax and retirement contributions. This bill would make those enhanced industrial disability leave benefits for specified state employees employed by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection applicable only to injuries that occur prior to January 1, 2022. The bill would instead, for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2022, make specified benefits, such as one year of salary in lieu of disability payments, available to all rank-and-file and supervisory firefighters and members of State Bargaining Unit 8 engaged in active fire suppression or prevention employed by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and specified seasonal employees whose principal duties include active fire suppression or prevention services. These benefits would be subject to limitations, as specified.