Section 4658.5 Of Article 3. Disability Payments From California Labor Code >> Division 4. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 3.
4658.5
. (a) This section shall apply to injuries occurring on or
after January 1, 2004, and before January 1, 2013.
(b) Except as provided in Section 4658.6, if the injury causes
permanent partial disability and the injured employee does not return
to work for the employer within 60 days of the termination of
temporary disability, the injured employee shall be eligible for a
supplemental job displacement benefit in the form of a
nontransferable voucher for education-related retraining or skill
enhancement, or both, at state-approved or accredited schools, as
follows:
(1) Up to four thousand dollars ($4,000) for permanent partial
disability awards of less than 15 percent.
(2) Up to six thousand dollars ($6,000) for permanent partial
disability awards between 15 and 25 percent.
(3) Up to eight thousand dollars ($8,000) for permanent partial
disability awards between 26 and 49 percent.
(4) Up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for permanent partial
disability awards between 50 and 99 percent.
(c) The voucher may be used for payment of tuition, fees, books,
and other expenses required by the school for retraining or skill
enhancement. No more than 10 percent of the voucher moneys may be
used for vocational or return-to-work counseling. The administrative
director shall adopt regulations governing the form of payment,
direct reimbursement to the injured employee upon presentation to the
employer of appropriate documentation and receipts, and other
matters necessary to the proper administration of the supplemental
job displacement benefit.
(d) A voucher issued on or after January 1, 2013, shall expire two
years after the date the voucher is furnished to the employee or
five years after the date of injury, whichever is later. The employee
shall not be entitled to payment or reimbursement of any expenses
that have not been incurred and submitted with appropriate
documentation to the employer prior to the expiration date.
(e) An employer shall not be liable for compensation for injuries
incurred by the employee while utilizing the voucher.