CERL provides that participants in certain membership categories may be entitled to special benefits if the injury that causes their disability arises in the course of their employment.  Last year, AB 1020 added various disability presumptions to CERL, including for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  It created a presumption, for purposes of qualification for disability retirement benefits for specified members, that certain injuries, including PTSD, as defined, arose out of, or in the course of, the member’s employment.  Existing law authorizes the presumption relating to these injuries to be rebutted by evidence to the contrary, but unless controverted, the applicable governing board of a public retirement system is required to find in accordance with the presumption.  Existing law repeals the provisions related to PTSD on January 1, 2025.  This bill changed the repeal date to January 1, 2029, by amending CERL Government Code section 31720.91.

Status:  Enacted. Effective 1/1/2025.