March 3, 2008 Source:
WorkInjury.com, CA Progress Report
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Bill Amending Apportionment Law Jumps Major Hurdle Toward Passage
After emotional testimony in support, as well as opposition from business groups, state Senator Carole Migden's legislation - SB 1115 - passed the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee on Wednesday by a 3 to 2 vote.
As we've reported, the bill would amend Labor Code Section 4663 to prohibit apportionment based solely on race, gender or genetic predisposition. To read some of our earlier articles on the bill, CLICK HERE.
Taking center stage during last week's hearing was Milton Jones, an African-American, whose disability for hypertension was cut in half because of his race (since submitted medical "evidence" showed African-Americans have twice the incidence of the disease within the general population). A quote from Mr. Jones:
"I didn't think that you could penalize an injured worker for his race. I didn't put my life on the line in the Middle East so African-Americans could be awarded half of what an Anglo man with the same injury would receive."
To read an article by Frank Russo, a longtime applicants' advocate, on the hearing and testimony,
- Help for the Injured Worker
