RELEASE OF WARRANTS OF A DECEASED STATE EMPLOYEE TO A PERSON DESIGNATED BY THE EMPLOYEE - 8477.2-DEC-1989
(Renumbered from 8429.3)
Section 12479 of the Government Code reads as follows:
"Any person now or hereafter employed by the state may file with his appointing power a designation of a person who, notwithstanding any other provision of law, shall, on the death of the employee, be entitled to receive all warrants that would have been payable to the decedent had he survived. The employee may change the designation from time to time. A person so designated shall claim such warrants from the appointing power. On sufficient proof of identity, the appointing power shall deliver the warrants to the claimant. A person who receives a warrant pursuant to this section is entitled to negotiate it as if he were the payee."
This law permits state employees to designate an individual who, on the death of the employee, shall be entitled to receive and negotiate SCO's warrants payable to that employee had the employee survived. Agencies will assure that employees are advised of this right and are afforded an opportunity to make such a designation. SCO's warrants for payment of death benefits and refunds of employee retirement contributions cannot be released pursuant to this designation. This law relates only to SCO's warrants and does not authorize agencies to release agency checks. Agency questions regarding the legality of the release of SCO's warrants to a designee shall be referred to the agency's attorney or the Office of the Attorney General. Single persons with minor dependents shall seek legal advice in order to release final warrants to a minor.