SB 1159 Covid Reporting Regulations

All our Customers,

The good news is that currently it looks like our normal claims , slip & falls, pump damage , etc. has slowed down during the COVID-19 virus. The bad news is along with the COVID-19 virus there will be constantly new regulations , which we all love to see.
Below is a summary of SB 1159, which was recently passed. Please read carefully. If you don’t comply with this new State bill, there could be significant financial penalties.
You can contact your Workers Comp. Carrier directly for additional advice and assistance when filing optional claims and you should have received additional information regarding SB 1159 from your Workers Compensation carrier.
We are also here to assist  so don’t hesitate to call us                                                                                                                                                                             

IMPORTANT NOTICE: New regulations regarding COVID-19 employer requirements have gone into effect for California.
At RKM Insurance, we are dedicated to keeping you up-to-date and informed when critical notifications (such as these) directly impact you, your clients, and your business.

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed two bills into law: SB1159 and AB685. These place immediate requirements on California employers and will remain effective from September 17, 2020 through January 1, 2023.
Please review this information carefully as these obligations carry severe administrative penalties (up to $10,000) for failure to comply.

The First Bill: SB1159 – COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Presumption Bill
Here are the rules for this important reporting obligation:
Positive Tests on (or after) September 17, 2020 (Must be reported in 3 Business Days)
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING must be reported to Your Insurance Carrier within 3 business days of being notified that your employee tested positive for COVID-19:
1.    TEST RESULT: Report that an employee tested positive. Do not identify the employee by name unless the employee claims the infection was work-related.
2.    DATE: Report the date the employee tested positive. This is the date the test was taken.
3.    ADDRESS: Include the address of the specific place(s) of employment where the infected employee worked during the 14-day period before testing positive.
4.    EMPLOYEE TOTAL: First, please take note of the date your employee tested positive. Second, with that date in mind, please note the number of employees who came into work within 45 days before this date. Businesses must report the highest number of employees who came to work (at the same locations where the infected employee worked) in the 45-day period before the infected employee’s last day on-the-job.
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Positive Tests between July 6, 2020 and September 17, 2020 (Must be reported by Oct. 29,2020)
1.    TEST AMOUNTS: Report all known positive tests by October 29, 2020.
2.    TEST RESULT: Report that an employee tested positive. Do not identify the employee by name unless the employee claims the infection was work-related.
3.    DATE: Report the date the employee tested positive. This is the date the test was taken.
4.    ADDRESS: Include the address of the specific place(s) of employment where the infected employee worked during the 14-day period before testing positive.
5.    EMPLOYEE TOTAL: First, please take note of the date your employee tested positive. Second, with that date in mind, please note the number of employees who came into work within 45 days before this date. Businesses must report the highest number of employees who came to work (at the same locations where the infected employee worked) in the 45-day period before the infected employee’s last day on-the-job.

Please note these regulations only apply to businesses with 5 or more employees.
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The Second Bill: AB685 – Employer’s Written Notice for Exposed Employees

You also need to be aware of the second bill, Assembly Bill 685. This bill will be effective on January 1, 2021 and requires California businesses to notify their employees who may have been exposed to COVID-19 at their worksite within one business day.

We hope that you, your employees, and your families are staying safe during this time