Workers' compensation: firefighters and peace officers.

Existing law specifies the time period within which various proceedings may be commenced under provisions of law relating to workers' compensation. With certain exceptions, a proceeding to collect death benefits is required to be commenced within one year from several circumstances, including, but not limited to, from the date of death if it occurs within one year from the date of injury. However, no proceedings may be commenced more than one year after the date of death, nor more than 240 weeks from the date of injury. This bill would, only until January 1, 2019, extend the time period to commence proceedings to collect death benefits, if the proceedings are brought by, or on behalf of, a person who was a dependent on the date of death, from 240 weeks from the date of injury to no later than 420 weeks from the date of injury, not to exceed one year after the date of death. This provision would apply only to a specified injury causing death, including cancer, tuberculosis, or a bloodborne infectious disease or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections, and would apply only to specified deceased members, including peace officers and active firefighting members. The bill would prohibit the payment of death benefits under these provisions under specified circumstances.