CERL: non-service-connected disability retirement.
The proposed changes are significant as they would alter long-standing practices concerning how non-service-connected disability pension applications are evaluated. Under current law, the retirement board evaluates whether a member's disability was influenced by substance abuse, which could affect their eligibility for benefits. By allowing counties to eliminate this consideration, the bill may facilitate a more equitable approach for affected employees, ensuring they receive pensions based solely on their service record and the nature of their disability.
Assembly Bill 2937, introduced by Assembly Member Fong, seeks to amend the County Employees Retirement Law (CERL) of 1937, which sets forth the rules and regulations regarding disability retirement for county employees in California. This bill introduces a provision allowing county boards of supervisors to opt-out of assessing members' non-service-connected disabilities for criteria concerning intemperate use of alcoholic substances or drugs. If adopted, the provision would enable counties to grant disability pensions without this specific assessment, streamlining the process and potentially increasing access for employees seeking benefits.
There may be discussions surrounding the implications of the bill, particularly from those who might argue that removing the assessment could lead to potential abuses of the system. Some may express concern that changing this criterion could result in counties having to bear higher pension costs if individuals with substance abuse issues are more likely to qualify for benefits without the stringent assessments currently in place. The bill's proponents, however, argue that it promotes fair treatment and removes barriers for individuals seeking rightful benefits.