Assemblymember Rodriguez Passes Legislation to Extend the COVID-19 Disability Retirement Sunset Date

Assemblymember Rodriguez Passes Legislation to Extend the COVID-19 Disability Retirement Sunset Date

(Sacramento, CA) – Last night, Assembly Bill (AB) 551 passed the State Legislature and is now heading to the Governor for his final approval. This legislation would extend the sunset date on the public pension disability retirement COVID-19 presumption, provided by last year’s AB 845 (Rodriguez, Chapter 122, Statues of 2021).

“Last year, I found the importance of creating a presumption for front line workers contracting COVID-19 on the job to be eligible for in-service disability retirement. As we are still battling COVID-19 in California, it is vital that the sunset date for this presumption be extended until January 1, 2025,” said Assemblymember Rodriguez.

Symptoms of COVID-19 have negatively impacted the long-term health of those who contract it, regardless of age. However, those more advanced in age face a more severe risk of serious illness and life-threatening complications such as organ failure, heart problems, extreme lung conditions, and blood clots.

The Mayo Clinic has found that even those who suffer from mild COVID-19 may still have symptoms that last for a long time. Common symptoms that may linger after having the virus may include fatigue, fever, lung symptoms, and more. These symptoms can worsen following physical activity or even mental effort.

Front line workers covered by the public pension disability retirement COVID-19 presumption include health care providers, firefighters, law enforcement, and public servants, to name a few. These individuals have supported Californians throughout the pandemic and deserve to have protections surrounding disability retirement due to the effects of this disease.

“I want to thank SEIU for their sponsorship and unwavering support of this measure. Protecting those who have put themselves on the line to protect all of us is the easiest way to thank them for their service,” added Assemblymember Rodriguez.