SB 497 - the Equal Pay and Anti-Retaliation Act
When workers take steps to address workplace abuses such as safety or wage violations, it is all too common for their employers to fire them, reduce their hours, or retaliate in other ways. This new law ensures that employers, not workers, bear the burden of proof that such actions were not, in fact, retaliatory when they occur within 90 days of a protected action.
SB 544 - Modernize Bagley Keene Act
The Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act was passed to keep the public informed on the proceedings of public agencies. SB 544 helps update it for the digital era by requiring the following three things: 1) that boards and commissions have a quorum present in public at one location; 2) that remote public officials keep their camera on; and 3) that there are remote testimony options for public hearings.
SB 553 - Preventing Workplace Violence
Senator Cortese shared in his press release that he was prompted to action by a tragic mass shooting at Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Cal/OSHA has been working on a general workplace violence (WPV) standard for six years, so Senator Cortese, UFCW, and AFSCME collaborated on SB 553 to accelerate the process.
SB 553 requires employers to develop their own WPV plan as part of the mandatory Cal/OSHA Injury and Illness Prevention Plans. The standard will take effect on July 1, 2024.
SB 616 - Paid Sick Leave
As of January 1, 2024, California workers will have the right to accrue and use up to 5 days or 40 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Leave (“Paid Sick Leave”). Previously, California law required only 3 paid sick days.
AB 496 - Support Clean Cosmetics
AB 496 bans the sale of cosmetic products that contain 26 toxic chemicals known to have an effect on human health. The chemicals include some borate compounds, lily aldehyde, cyclotetrasiloxane, trichloroacetic acid, styrene and certain colors.
AB 636 - H2A Notices
This bill requires H-2A growers whose H-2A farm workers are not unionized to provide them with a state Labor Commissioner-drafted Spanish language notice which describes, in easily understandable terms, approximately two dozen important California/federal labor rights & protections.
AB 933 - Protecting Survivors From Weaponized Defamation Lawsuits
AB 933, effective as of January 1, 2024, better shields survivors of sexual assault, harassment and discrimination from the weaponized use of defamation claims, as even meritless suits have proven effective at intimidating survivors into silence.
AB 1228 - Fast Food Liability
AB 1228 created a fast food council with the authority to increase the industry minimum wage and adjust for region in California, increasing it to $20/hour starting in 2024, and allowing for additional increases at annual intervals.
AB 1484 - Public Sector Temp Worker Protection Bill
AB 1484 takes effect January 1, 2024 and intends to ensure temporary workers are protected by state laws, supported in their bargaining rights, and able to be included in the same bargaining unit as permanent employees who perform similar work.
