Bill would provide comp for off-duty firefighters

The California Assembly on Monday unanimously passed legislation that would make injuries suffered by firefighters who aid in rescue operation while off duty outside of the state compensable under workers compensation law.

A.B. 932 comes after several California rescue workers were injured while coming to the aid of victims injured in a mass shooting at a concert in Las Vegas in 2017, according to the legislative counsel’s digest. It would cover California firefighters injured in that incident, which had been denied workers compensation because state law only provides coverage if the first responder is injured in state.

“This bill would expand the scope of this provision to apply when a firefighter engages in a fire-suppression or rescue operation, or the protection or preservation of life or property, outside of this state,” the digest states. 

The bill now heads to the state Senate for a vote. If the bill is approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, the law would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.