The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has issued notices of public hearings for the Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB) regulations and interpreter services regulations.

The proposed rulemakings are to permanently adopt the emergency regulations which became effective Jan. 1, 2013. A public hearing on the proposed regulations has been scheduled for March 19 at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the Elihu Harris Building, 1515 Clay Street, Oakland. Members of the public may also submit written comments on the regulations until 5 p.m. on that day.

The SJDB regulations implement SB 863’s changes regarding the amount of the SJDB voucher and the expenses for which it may be used. The proposed regulations administrate the supplement job displacement benefit by providing procedures and forms for those injured on or after Jan. 1, 2013.

The interpreter services regulations define “qualified interpreter for purposes of medical treatment appointments,” add “medical treatment appointments” as an event for which an interpreter is entitled to a fee, and set forth the websites where interpreters who are qualified to interpret at workers’ compensation appeals board hearings and medical treatment appointments can be found.

DWC will consider all public comments, and may modify the proposed regulations for consideration during an additional 15-day public comment period. The notices of rulemaking, text of the regulations, and the initial statements of reasons can be found at the DWC website.