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AB-1683 • 2026

Workers’ compensation: prepaid cards.

Workers’ compensation: prepaid cards.

Labor
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Committee on Insurance
Last action
Official status
Chaptered
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text states the authorization to 'commence' (start) these programs is extended indefinitely, but does not explicitly state existing active accounts are unaffected beyond this extension.

Extending Prepaid Cards for Workers' Compensation Payments

This law removes the January 1, 2027 deadline that currently limits when employers can start programs using prepaid cards to pay workers injured on the job.

What This Bill Does

  • Removes the January 1, 2027 expiration date for employer programs depositing disability payments into prepaid card accounts.
  • Allows these prepaid card payment programs to continue indefinitely.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Employers who pay workers' compensation benefits
  • Employees injured on the job who receive disability indemnity payments

Terms To Know

Workers' compensation
A system that pays employees for injuries they get while working.
Disability indemnity payments
Money paid to workers who cannot work because of an injury or illness from their job.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill only extends the authorization for employers to start these programs; it does not change rules requiring other written payment instruments to be immediately negotiable and payable in cash.
  • The official source material provided lists the effective date as blank.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Chaptered

Official Summary Text

Workers’ compensation: prepaid cards.