This Interstate Special Edition summarizes employment-related bills signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom after the state legislature’s 2024 session.
Captive Audience Ban: SB 399 essentially prevents employers from holding mandatory meetings about unionization.
Crime Victim Leave: AB 2499 expands the circumstances under which employees can take state-paid sick leave after a crime. The leave will apply even where no one is charged and cover situations in which an employee’s family member is a victim.
Driver’s License Discrimination: SB 1100 prohibits employers from advertising that job applicants must have a driver’s license unless driving will be an essential job function.
Freelance Worker Protections: SB 988 requires contracts with freelance workers to be in writing and include specified terms relating to services and fees.
Paid Family Leave: AB 2123 requires employers to permit employees to access their paid family leave benefits before they use accrued vacation leave.
Protected Classes—Intersectional Discrimination: SB 1137creates a new set of protected classes that combine current protected characteristics. For example, while race (such as Asian) and sex (such as female) are separate protected classes, the amendment makes Asian-female a separate protected class.