NEW BILLS GO LIVE IN CALIF

California Gov. Gray Davis and the Democratic-controlled state Legislature came to agreement on 1,168 bills during the last session, making it the most bills Davis has signed in a single year since taking office in 1999. A couple of insurance-related new laws began earlier this month. They include: Family leave—Establishes new state insurance fund to provide up to 12 weeks of wage-replacement benefits for those caring for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent or domestic partner, or to bond with a new child (SB 1661). Workers’ compensation—Ratchets up benefits to injured workers. The maximum weekly benefit paid to injured workers will climb from $490 to $602 in 2003 and to $840 in 2005 (SB 749).