Bills Signed by Governor (10/7/17)

AB 260 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) - Human trafficking.
AB 581 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) - Apprenticeships on public works projects.
AB 1455 by Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) - The California Public Records Act: exemptions.
SB 225 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Agoura Hills) - Human trafficking: notice.
SB 285 by Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) - Public employers: union organizing.
SB 597 by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) - Human trafficking: victim confidentiality.

Bills Signed by Governor (9/30/16)

AB 1676 by Assemblymember Nora Campos (D-San Jose) - Employers: wage discrimination.

Existing law generally prohibits an employer from paying an employee at wage rates less than the rates paid to employees of the opposite sex in the same establishment for equal work on jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and which are performed under similar working conditions. Existing law establishes exceptions to that prohibition, including, among others, where the payment is made based on any bona fide factor other than sex, such as education, training, or experience. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for an employer or other person acting either individually or as an officer, agent, or employee of another person to pay or cause to be paid to any employee a wage less than the rate paid to an employee of the opposite sex as required by these provisions, or who reduces the wages of any employee in order to comply with these provisions. Existing law also makes it a misdemeanor for an employer to refuse or neglect to comply with the above provisions of law.

This bill would specify that prior salary cannot, by itself, justify any disparity in compensation under the bona fide factor exception to the above prohibition. By changing the definition of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill would incorporate additional changes in Section 1197.5 of the Labor Code proposed by SB 1063 that would become operative only if

SB 1063 and this bill are both chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2017, and this bill is chaptered last.

SB 1063 by Senator Isadore Hall III (D-Compton) - Conditions of employment: wage differential: race or ethnicity

Existing law prohibits an employer from paying any of its employees at wage rates less than the rates paid to employees of the opposite sex for substantially similar work, when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility, and performed under similar working conditions, unless the employer demonstrates that specific, reasonably applied factors account for the entire wage differential. Existing law authorizes an employee paid lesser wages in violation of this prohibition to file a complaint with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, and authorizes the employee, the division, or the Department of Industrial Relations to commence a civil action for the wages the employee was deprived of because of the violation, interest on those wages, and liquidated damages. Under existing law, an employer or other person who violates or causes a violation of that prohibition, or who reduces the wages of any employee in order to comply with that prohibition, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

This bill would also prohibit an employer from paying any of its employees at wage rates less than the rates paid to employees of another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work, as specified above. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill would incorporate additional changes in Section 1197.5 of the Labor Code proposed by AB 1676 that would become operative only if AB 1676 and this bill are both chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2017, and this bill is chaptered last.

SB 1442 by Senator Carol Liu (D-La Canada Flintridge) - Discrimination: regulations and enforcement

Existing law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and eligibility for government programs and benefits based upon specified personal characteristics. Under existing law, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing within the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency is charged with enforcement of civil rights violations, including discrimination. Existing law requires the department and other state agencies that administer programs or activities funded by the state or that receive financial assistance from the state and that enter into contracts for services to be provided to the public, as specified, to promulgate regulations to prohibit discrimination.

This bill would reorganize various statutes regarding discrimination. The bill would also remove the requirement that those state agencies promulgate regulations to prohibit discrimination under these provisions and would require the investigation and enforcement of the above-described antidiscrimination provisions to be performed by the department. The bill would require that specified regulations implementing these provisions be transferred to the portion of the California Code of Regulations that is under the authority of the department and would authorize the department to add to, amend, or repeal the regulations, as necessary.

Existing law authorizes the provision of housing for homeless youth, as defined, and occupies the field of regulation of housing for homeless youth.

This bill would reorganize these provisions by making them part of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. The bill would also make conforming changes.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 12930 of the Government Code, proposed by AB 2707, to be operative only if AB 2707 and this bill are both chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2017, and this bill is chaptered last.

Bills Vetoed by Governor (9/30/16)

AB 769 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer Sr. (D-Los Angeles) - State employees: disciplinary action. A veto message can be found here

AB 874 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) - Collective bargaining: Judicial Council. A veto message can be found here

AB 1890 by Assemblymember Bill Dodd (D-Napa) - Discrimination: equal pay: state contracting. A veto message can be found here

AB 1930 by Assemblymember Tom W. Lackey (R-Palmdale) - In-home supportive services: family caregivers: advisory committee. A veto message can be found here

AB 2197 by Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) - Unemployment insurance: classified employees. A veto message can be found here

Bills Signed by Governor (9/29/16)

AB 1661 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – Local government: sexual harassment prevention training and education

Existing law requires all local agency officials to receive training in ethics, at specified intervals, if the local agency provides any type of compensation, salary, or stipend to those officials. Existing law also requires any civil or political subdivision of the state and all cities to provide at least 2 hours of training and education regarding sexual harassment to all supervisory employees, as specified.

This bill would additionally require local agency officials, as defined, to receive sexual harassment prevention training and education if the local agency provides any type of compensation, salary, or stipend to those officials, and would allow a local agency to require employees to receive sexual harassment prevention training or information. The bill would also require an entity that develops curricula to satisfy this requirement to consult with the city attorney or county counsel regarding the sufficiency and accuracy of that proposed content.

AB 1732, Ting. Single-user restrooms

Existing law requires a public agency, as defined, that serves the public or is open to the public and maintains toilet facilities to make those facilities available to the public free of charge. Existing law requires publicly and privately owned facilities where the public congregates, as defined, to maintain a sufficient number of temporary or permanent toilet facilities to meet the needs of the public at peak hours. Existing law also requires each business establishment to provide, within reasonable access, a sufficient number of toilet facilities for the use of the employees.

This bill would, commencing March 1, 2017, require all single-user toilet facilities in any business establishment, place of public accommodation, or government agency to be identified as all-gender toilet facilities, as specified. The bill would authorize inspectors, building officials, or other local officials responsible for code enforcement to inspect for compliance with these provisions during any inspection.

AB 2843, Chau. Public records: employee contact information

Existing law, California Public Records Act, requires that public records are open to inspection, subject to various exceptions. The act excepts from public inspection the home addresses and home telephone numbers of state employees and employees of a school district or county office of education, provided that disclosure can be made in specified instances, including to an employee organization.

This bill would, with certain exceptions, extend the limitation on the disclosure of the personal information described above to all employees of a public agency and would extend the limitation to include personal cellular telephone numbers and birth dates. By increasing the duties of local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Existing law additionally excepts from public inspection specified information regarding persons paid by the state to provide in-home supportive services. Existing law requires copies of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of those persons to be made available, upon request, to an exclusive bargaining agent and to any labor organization seeking representation rights, as specified.

This bill would additionally require personal cellular telephone numbers of those persons to be made available to an exclusive bargaining agent and to any labor organization seeking representation rights.

Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.

This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.

The California Constitution requires local agencies, for the purpose of ensuring public access to the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies, to comply with a statutory enactment that amends or enacts laws relating to public records or open meetings and contains findings demonstrating that the enactment furthers the constitutional requirements relating to this purpose.

This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.

SB 1167, Mendoza. Employment safety: indoor workers: heat regulations

Under existing law, the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health investigates complaints that a workplace is not safe and may issue orders necessary to ensure employee safety. Under existing law, certain violations of that act or a standard, order, or special order authorized by the act are a crime. Under existing law, the division has adopted regulations establishing a heat illness prevention standard for outdoor workers.

This bill would require the division, by January 1, 2019, to propose to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board for the board’s review and adoption, a heat illness and injury prevention standard applicable to workers working in indoor places of employment. The bill would specify that this requirement does not prohibit the division from proposing, or the standards board from adopting, a standard that limits the application of high heat provisions to certain industry sectors. Because this bill would expand the definition of an existing crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program.

SB 1234, De León. Retirement savings plans

Existing federal law provides for tax-qualified retirement plans and individual retirement accounts or individual retirement annuities by which private citizens may save money for retirement. Existing law, the California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Trust Act, establishes the California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program, administered by the California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Investment Board, contingent on specified funding and interest criteria being met. Existing law prescribes the composition of the board and its duties and provides that it acts as trustee in entering contracts and accepting moneys, among other things. Existing law prohibits the board from permitting enrollment in the program until enactment of a statute expressing legislative approval of program implementation. The program requires specified eligible employers, as defined, to offer a payroll deposit retirement savings arrangement and requires eligible employees, as defined, who do not opt out of the program, to contribute a portion of their salary or wages to a retirement savings account in the program, as specified. Existing law requires contributions from the wages of employees participating in the program to be deposited in the California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Trust, which is continuously appropriated and administered by the board. Existing law authorizes the board to adjust the employee contribution amount between 2% and 4%, inclusive, of the employee’s annual salary or wages, as specified.

This bill would express legislative approval of the program and its implementation on January 1, 2017. The bill would require the board, prior to opening the program for enrollment, to make a report to the Governor and Legislature affirming that certain requirements have been met, including that the program is structured to meet a United States Department of Labor regulation, as specified. The bill would require the board to design and implement the program and would prescribe certain parameters that the board is to consider and utilize in establishing the design. The bill would require the board, for up to 3 years following implementation, to establish managed accounts invested in United States Treasury securities, in myRAs, as defined, or in similar investments and would make conforming changes in this connection in provisions related to mitigating risk in the investment portfolio and payment of the costs of administration. The bill would require the board, after this period, to annually prepare and adopt a written statement of investment policy containing specified elements. The bill would require the board to consider the statement and any changes in the investment policy at a public hearing. The bill would specify that funding and first year administrative costs may be appropriated in the annual budget from the General Fund and would require the board to repay the amount appropriated, plus interest, as specified. On and after 6 years from the date the program is implemented, the bill would prohibit expenditures for the purpose of paying operative costs and administering the trust from exceeding 1% of the total program fund. The bill would revise the purposes for which administrative and program funds may be expended. The bill would provide that investment policy decisions, including asset allocation and investment options, are entrusted to the board as a fiduciary, and would revise certain principles that the board is to consider in connection with investment policy. The bill would exempt the California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Trust from specified provisions regarding the qualification of securities for sale.

The bill would make various changes to existing duties of the board, including those regarding dissemination of information and the entities with which the board is to collaborate and cooperate. The bill would require the Treasurer to appoint an executive director of the board, to serve at its pleasure, and to determine the duties of the office and its compensation. The bill would eliminate the duty of the board to ensure that insurance or some other mechanism is in place to protect the value of individual accounts and would eliminate the requirement to secure private underwriting and reinsurance, as specified. The bill would repeal the duty of the board to conduct an initial market analysis to determine if the condition for the implementation of the program can be met and associated provisions. The bill would eliminate the authority of the board to establish certain investment options.

This bill would require eligible employers that do not offer specified retirement plans or accounts to have a payroll deposit retirement savings arrangement so that employees may participate in the program within specified time periods based on the number of eligible employees that the employer has, and the bill would authorize the board to extend these time periods. The bill would provide that employers retain the right at all times to set up and offer their own qualified retirement plans. The bill would define an employer of a provider of in-home supportive services as an employer if a specified determination and certification are made and would require the state or a county that makes a direct payment to a provider to assume obligations regarding retirement savings accounts, including payroll deposit IRA arrangements offered under the program. The bill would authorize the board to adjust the employee contribution amount described above up to 5% and would prescribe other limits on increasing employee contributions. The bill would authorize the board to make annual, automatic escalations of employee contributions subject to certain limitations, including that the employee may opt out, as specified. By authorizing the board to increase moneys that are deposited into the California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Trust, which is continuously appropriated, the bill would make an appropriation. The bill would authorize the board to adopt regulations to implement the program and would provide that the adoption, amendment, repeal, or readoption of a regulation authorized by this section is deemed to address an emergency. The bill would make various conforming changes.

AB 2028 by Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) – Public employees' retirement: involuntary termination: reinstatement

Existing law, the Public Employees’ Retirement Law (PERL), creates the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) for the purpose of providing pension benefits to state employees and employees of contracting agencies and prescribes the rights and duties of members of the system and their beneficiaries. PERS provides defined benefits to members based on final compensation, credited service, and age at retirement, subject to certain variations. PERL requires a person who has retired under PERS following an involuntary termination of his or her employment to be reinstated to membership in that system, effective as of the date from which salary is awarded, if the person is reinstated to employment pursuant to an administrative or judicial proceeding and certain other conditions are met, as specified. PERL also requires the assets of the system, including, but not limited to, employee contributions, employer contributions, and investment income, to be deposited into the Public Employees’ Retirement Fund, a continuously appropriated fund.

This bill would additionally require the reinstatement in PERS of a member, without regard to retirement status, who is involuntarily terminated on or after January 1, 2017, and subsequently reinstated to that employment pursuant to an administrative, arbitral, or judicial proceeding. The bill would require contributions to be made to the system for any period for which salary is awarded in the proceeding and would provide the member with service credit for that period and reinstatement of benefits effective as of the date from which salary is awarded, as specified. The bill would require an employer of the involuntarily terminated employee to notify the board of the final decision ordering the member’s reinstatement, as specified. By increasing contributions to be deposited into the Public Employees’ Retirement Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, the bill would make an appropriation. By requiring local government employers to provide this notification and information, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Bill Vetoed by Governor (9/29/16)

AB 2155 by Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) – Teachers: retirement: full time. A veto message can be found here

Bills Signed by Governor (9/28/16)

AB 1926 by Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) – Public works: prevailing wage: apprentices

Existing law requires that, except as specified, not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages, determined by the Director of Industrial Relations, be paid to workers employed on public works projects. Under existing law, an apprentice employed upon public works is required to be paid the prevailing rate of per diem wages for apprentices in the trade to which he or she is registered and to be employed only at the work of the craft or trade to which he or she is registered, as specified.

This bill would require, when a contractor requests the dispatch of an apprentice to perform work on a public works project and requires compliance with certain preemployment activities as a condition of employment, as specified, that the apprentice be paid the prevailing rate for the time spent on any required preemployment activity, including travel time to and from the activity, if any, except as specified.

Because this bill would expand the application of the prevailing wage requirements, the violation of which is a crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

AB 2126 by Assemblymember Kevin Mullin (D-South San Francisco) – Public contracts: Construction Manager/General Contractor contracts

Existing law authorizes the Department of Transportation to use the Construction Manager/General Contractor method on no more than 6 projects, and requires 4 out of the 6 projects to use department employees or consultants under contract with the department to perform all project design and engineering services, as specified. Existing law requires specified information provided to the department pursuant to these provisions to be verified under oath.

This bill would authorize the department to use this method on 12 projects and would require 8 out of the 12 projects to use department employees or consultants under contract with the department to perform all project design and engineering services. By expanding this authorization, the bill would expand the scope of the crime of perjury, thus imposing a state-mandated local program.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

AB 2532 by Assemblymember David S. Chiu (D-San Francisco) – Employment services: verification

Existing law requires each state or local government agency or community action agency, or any private organization contracting with a state or local government agency, that provides specified employment services to verify an individual’s legal status or authorization to work prior to providing services to that individual in accordance with procedures established under federal law. Existing law specifies that proof of legal status or authorization to work includes specified documents providing evidence of legal residence or authorization to work in the United States. It also specifies that those provisions requiring verification of an individual’s legal status or authorization to work prior to providing employment services do not apply to employment services offered by school districts under secondary school and adult education programs.

Existing law requires each state or local government agency or community action agency, or any private organization contracting with a state or local government agency, that provides specified employment services to post in a prominent location in the workplace a notice stating that only citizens or those persons legally authorized to work in the United States will be permitted to use the agency’s or organization’s employment services that are funded by the federal or state government, as specified.

This bill would repeal the above-described requirements.

AB 2551 by Assemblymember James M. Gallagher (R-Plumas Lake) – Contract procurement: surface storage projects

The Local Agency Public Construction Act establishes procedures and requirements for contracting by local agencies for the construction of public works, including the requirement to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder. Existing law governing specified water districts requires those districts to use competitive bidding and to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder.

This bill would allow a local agency to use the construction manager at-risk, design-build, or design-build-operate method of delivery on a surface storage project, as described. The bill would require these contracts to be awarded on a best value basis or to the lowest responsible bidder, and establish a procurement process for these contracts. The bill would require the bidder to certify specified information under penalty of perjury. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also prohibit a contracting entity from being prequalified or short-listed unless it provides an enforceable commitment to the local agency that the entity and its subcontractors will use a skilled and trained workforce to perform all work on the project or contract that falls within an apprenticeable occupation in the building and construction trades, as specified.

AB 2687 by Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian (R-San Luis Obispo) – Vehicles: passenger for hire: driving under the influence

Existing law makes it unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug to drive a vehicle. Existing law makes it unlawful for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a commercial motor vehicle, as defined. Existing law also makes it unlawful for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a commercial motor vehicle and concurrently do any act forbidden by law or neglect any duty imposed by law that proximately causes bodily injury to another person other than the driver.

This bill would make it unlawful, commencing July 1, 2018, for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a motor vehicle when a passenger for hire, as defined, is a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the offense. The bill would also make it unlawful, commencing July 1, 2018, for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a motor vehicle, as specified, and concurrently do any act or neglect any duty that proximately causes bodily injury to another person other than the driver. Because this bill would expand the application of a crime to more people, it would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

AB 2763 by Assemblymember Mike Gatto (D-Glendale) – Transportation network companies: personal vehicles

The Passenger Charter-party Carriers’ Act provides for the regulation of charter-party carriers of passengers by the Public Utilities Commission and includes specific requirements for liability insurance coverage for transportation network companies, which are defined as certain organizations that, using an online-enabled application or platform, connect passengers with drivers using a personal vehicle.

This bill would define a personal vehicle as a vehicle that is used by a participating driver to provide prearranged transportation services for compensation, with a passenger capacity of eight persons or less, including the driver, that is owned, leased, rented for a term that does not exceed 30 days, as specified, or otherwise authorized for use by the participating driver, meets all inspection and other safety requirements imposed by the commission, and is not a taxicab or a limousine.

SB 693 by Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) – Public contracts: skilled and trained workforce

Existing law establishes specific instances where a public entity is required to obtain an enforceable commitment that a bidder, contractor, or other entity will use a skilled and trained workforce to complete a contract or project.

This bill would establish provisions to be generally applicable when a public entity is required by statute or regulation to obtain an enforceable commitment that a bidder, contractor, or other entity will use a skilled and trained workforce to complete a contract or project. The bill would also authorize a public entity to require that a bidder, contractor, or other entity use a skilled and trained workforce to complete a contract or project.

Existing law relating to school facilities provides for the lease of property and prohibits the governing board of a school district from entering into specific lease agreements for the construction of buildings for the use of the school district with any entity unless the entity provides to the governing board an enforceable commitment that the entity and its subcontractors at every tier will use a skilled and trained workforce to perform all work on the project or contract that falls within an apprenticeable occupation in the building and construction trades.

Existing law relating to school facilities, operative July 1, 2016, and until January 1, 2025, also authorizes a school district, with the approval of the governing board of the school district, to procure design-build contracts for certain public works projects, as provided, and prohibits a design-build entity from being prequalified or shortlisted unless the entity provides a similar enforceable commitment to the school district with respect to the use of a skilled and trained workforce.

Existing law relating to the Department of General Services and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation authorizes the Director of General Services and the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to procure design-build contracts for certain public works projects, as provided, and prohibits a design-build entity from being prequalified or shortlisted unless the entity provides a similar enforceable commitment to the departments with respect to the use of a skilled and trained workforce.

Existing law relating to local agencies authorizes a local agency to procure design-build contracts for certain public works projects, as provided, and prohibits a design-build entity from being prequalified or shortlisted unless the entity provides a similar enforceable commitment to a local agency with respect to the use of a skilled and trained workforce.

Existing law, until January 1, 2021, establishes a pilot program to authorize the Los Angeles Unified School District to use a best value procurement method for bid evaluation and selection for certain public projects (LAUSD pilot program). The LAUSD pilot program precludes the prequalification or shortlisting of a best value entity unless the entity provides a similar enforceable commitment to the governing board of the district with respect to the use of a skilled and trained workforce.

Existing law establishes a pilot program to allow the Counties of Alameda, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Solano, and Yuba to select a bidder on the basis of best value, as defined, for specific construction projects (pilot program for counties). The pilot program for counties precludes the prequalification or shortlisting of a best value contractor unless the contractor provides a similar enforceable commitment to the county with respect to the use of a skilled and trained workforce.

This bill would revise those provisions specifically applicable to school facilities, the Department of General Services, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and local agency design-build projects, the LAUSD pilot program, and the pilot program for counties to require, instead, an enforceable commitment for the use of a skilled and trained workforce in accordance with the above-described generally applicable provisions for the use of a skilled and trained workforce, unless there is a prescribed project labor agreement.

The bill, except as specified, would not apply to contracts advertised for bid or awarded before January 1, 2017.

This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.

SB 702 by Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) – Employment of minors: agricultural packing plants

Existing law prescribes limits on the hours of employment of minors, but authorizes the Labor Commissioner to grant an exemption to employers operating agricultural packing plants for the employment of minors 16 and 17 years of age for up to 10 hours on days when school is not in session, during the peak harvest season.

Existing law provides an exception to those provisions for the County of Lake by limiting the employer exemption that may be issued by the Labor Commissioner to the employment of minors, 16 or 17 years of age, who reside in the County of Lake, and only on days when school is not in session, for up to 10 hours a day, as well as for more than 48 hours but not more than 60 hours in a week, upon prior written approval of the Lake County Office of Education.

Existing law also requires the Labor Commissioner, prior to issuing the County of Lake exemption or renewing an exemption, to inspect an affected agricultural packing plant. Existing law requires the Labor Commissioner to file a written report with the Legislature on or before November 1, 2016, describing the general working conditions of minors employed in the agricultural packing industry during the period from March 1, 2011, to October 1, 2016, inclusive, as specified. Existing law further requires an affected employer, on or before March 1 of each year, as a condition of receiving that exemption or a renewal of that exemption, to file a written report to the Labor Commissioner, as specified. These provisions are set to expire on January 1, 2017.

This bill would extend the operation of the exception pertaining to the employment of minors in the County of Lake until January 1, 2022. It would additionally require the Labor Commissioner to report to the Legislature on or before November 1, 2020, on the working conditions for the period from October 1, 2016, to October 1, 2020, inclusive.

SB 1001 by Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) – Employment: unfair practices

Existing law prohibits an employer or any other person from engaging in, or directing another person to engage in, an unfair immigration-related practice against a person for the purpose of or intent to retaliate against any person for exercising a protected right, as specified. Existing law defines requesting more or different documents than are required under federal law, or refusing to honor documents tendered that on their face reasonably appear to be genuine, as an unfair immigration-related practice.

This bill would make it unlawful for an employer to request more or different documents than are required under federal law, to refuse to honor documents tendered that on their face reasonably appear to be genuine, to refuse to honor documents or work authorization based upon the specific status or term of status that accompanies the authorization to work, or to reinvestigate or reverify an incumbent employee’s authorization to work, as specified. The bill would authorize an applicant for employment or an employee who is subject to an unlawful act that is prohibited by these provisions, or a representative of that applicant for employment or employee, to file a complaint with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. The bill would specify that any person who violates these provisions shall be subject to a penalty imposed by the Labor Commissioner not exceeding $10,000, and be liable for equitable relief.

SB 1139 by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) – Health professionals: medical degree programs: healing arts residency training programs: undocumented immigrants: nonimmigrant aliens: scholarships, loans, and loan repayment

(1) Existing law, known as the Medical Practice Act, provides for licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons by the Medical Board of California and imposes various requirements in that regard. Existing law requires an applicant for a license as a physician and surgeon to successfully complete a specified medical curriculum, a clinical instruction program, and a training program. Existing law provides that nothing in the Medical Practice Act shall be construed to prohibit a foreign medical graduate from engaging in the practice of medicine whenever and wherever required as part of a clinical service program, subject to certain conditions.

This bill would prohibit a student, including a person without lawful immigration status, a person who is exempt from nonresident tuition pursuant to a specified statute, or a person who fits into both of those categories, who meets the requirements for admission to a medical degree program at any public or private postsecondary educational institution that offers such a program from being denied admission to that program based on his or her citizenship status or immigration status. The bill would also prohibit such a student from being denied admission, based on his or her citizenship status or immigration status, to a healing arts residency training program whose participants are not paid. These provisions would not apply, except as provided, to a nonimmigrant alien, as defined in a specified provision of federal law.

(2) Existing law establishes the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and makes the office responsible for administering various programs with respect to the health care professions.

This bill would prohibit specified programs administered by the office from denying an application based on the citizenship status or immigration status of the applicant.

SB 1214 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – University of California: Best Value Construction Contracting Pilot Program

(1) Existing law authorizes, through January 1, 2017, a pilot program for the Regents of the University of California to contract for certain types of projects on the university of the University of California based on the best value procedures, as specified. Existing law defines the term “university” to mean the campuses of the University of California, including the medical centers. The law requires, on or before January 1, 2016, the Regents of the University of California to report to specific committees of the Legislature regarding the pilot program, including, among other information, a description of the projects awarded using the best value procedures.

This bill would extend the provisions of the pilot program until January 1, 2018, and would repeal the reporting requirement. This bill would modify the definition of the term “university” to mean all locations of the University of California.

(2) By extending the requirement that bidders verify specified information under oath, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program by expanding the scope of an existing crime.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Bills Vetoed by Governor (9/28/16)

AB 2719 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) – Workforce development: out-of-school youth. A veto message can be found here

SB 959 by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) – University of California: contracts: bidding. A veto message can be found here

Bills Signed by Governor (9/27/16)

AB 488 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) - Employment discrimination

Existing law, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, protects the right to seek, obtain, and hold employment without discrimination because of race, religious creed, physical disability, mental disability, sex, age, and sexual orientation, among other characteristics. The act prohibits various forms of employment discrimination, including discharging or refusing to hire or to select for training programs on a prohibited basis. The act prescribes requirements for filing complaints of employment discrimination with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and charges this department with investigating and determining whether or not to bring a civil action on behalf of the complainant, among other duties. The act exempts employers from remedies for specified unlawful employment practices, including when the discrimination is on the basis of physical or mental disability and the disability prevents the employee from safely performing essential duties even with reasonable accommodations. The act excludes from the definition of “employee,” any individual employed under a special license in a nonprofit sheltered workshop or rehabilitation facility. A special license permits the employment of individuals with disabilities at a wage less than the legal minimum wage.

This bill would authorize an individual employed under a special license in a nonprofit sheltered workshop, day program, or rehabilitation facility to bring an action under the act for any form of harassment or discrimination prohibited by the act. The bill would provide an employer against whom the individual brings this action with an affirmative defense by proving, by a preponderance of evidence, that the challenged action was permitted by statute or regulation and was necessary to serve employees with disabilities under a special license. The bill would exempt an employer’s obtaining a special license, or hiring or employing a qualified individual at a wage less than the minimum wage in conformity with a special license, from the act’s provisions prohibiting discrimination based on disability. The bill would provide that the definition of employee was not intended to permit the harassment of, or discrimination against, an individual employed under a special license in a nonprofit sheltered workshop, day program, or rehabilitation facility.

AB 1843 by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Scotts Valley) - Applicants for employment: criminal history

Existing law prohibits an employer, whether a public agency or private individual or corporation, from asking an applicant for employment to disclose, or from utilizing as a factor in determining any condition of employment, information concerning an arrest or detention that did not result in a conviction, or information concerning a referral or participation in, any pretrial or posttrial diversion program, except as specified. Existing law also prohibits an employer, as specified, from asking an applicant to disclose, or from utilizing as a factor in determining any condition of employment, information concerning a conviction that has been judicially dismissed or ordered sealed, except in specified circumstances. Existing law specifies that these provisions do not prohibit an employer at a health facility, as defined, from asking an applicant for a specific type of employment about arrests for certain crimes. Existing law makes it a crime to intentionally violate these provisions.

This bill would also prohibit an employer from asking an applicant for employment to disclose, or from utilizing as a factor in determining any condition of employment, information concerning or related to an arrest, detention, processing, diversion, supervision, adjudication, or court disposition that occurred while the person was subject to the process and jurisdiction of juvenile court law. The bill, for the purposes of the prohibitions and exceptions described above, would provide that “conviction” excludes an adjudication by a juvenile court or any other court order or action taken with respect to a person who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court law, and would make related and conforming changes. The bill would prohibit an employer at a health facility from inquiring into specific events that occurred while the applicant was subject to juvenile court law, with a certain exception, and from inquiring into information concerning or related to an applicant’s juvenile offense history that has been sealed by the juvenile court. The bill would require an employer at a health facility seeking disclosure of juvenile offense history under that exception to provide the applicant with a list describing offenses for which disclosure is sought.

AB 1887 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) - State government: discrimination: travel

Existing law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, color, genetic information, or disability under any state program or activity. Existing law provides for officers and employees of the state, when away from their headquarters for state business, to receive travel expenses.

This bill would prohibit a state agency and the Legislature from requiring any of its employees, officers, or members to travel to, or approving a request for state-funded or state-sponsored travel to, any state that, after June 26, 2015, has enacted a law that voids or repeals, or has the effect of voiding or repealing, existing state or local protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression or has enacted a law that authorizes or requires discrimination against same-sex couples or their families or on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, as specified, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would require the Attorney General to develop, maintain, and post on his or her Internet Web site a current list of states that, after June 26, 2015, have enacted such a law. The bill would make it the responsibility of specified state entities to consult the list in order to comply with the travel and funding restrictions imposed by the bill.

AB 2288 by Assemblymember Autumn R. Burke (D-Inglewood) - Apprenticeship programs: building and construction trades

Existing law provides that the California Workforce Development Board is responsible for assisting the Governor in the development, oversight, and continuous improvement of California’s workforce investment system. Existing law requires that the California Workforce Development Board and each local workforce development board ensure that programs and services funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 and directed to apprenticeable occupations are conducted in coordination with apprenticeship programs approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, as specified. Existing law also requires the California Workforce Development Board and each local workforce development board to develop a policy of fostering collaboration between community colleges and approved apprenticeship programs in the geographic area.

This bill would require the California Workforce Development Board and each local board to ensure that federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 funds respectively awarded by them for preapprenticeship training in the building and construction trades fund programs and services that follow the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum implemented by the State Department of Education and that develop a plan to help increase the representation of women in those trades, as specified. The bill would require the California Workforce Development Board to develop policies to implement these provisions. By imposing new requirements on the local workforce development boards, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

SB 1180 by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) - Public school employees: military veterans: leave of absence for illness or injury

(1) Under existing law, a certificated employee may, at his or her election, use days of leave of absence for illness or injury allowed, pursuant to specified existing law.

This bill would require that a certificated employee hired on or after January 1, 2017, who is a military veteran with a military service-connected disability rated at 30% or more by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs be entitled to a leave of absence for illness or injury with pay of up to 10 days for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment for his or her military service-connected disability, as specified. The bill would provide that nothing in these provisions shall be construed to diminish the obligation of a public school employer to comply with any collective bargaining agreement entered into by a public school employer and an exclusive bargaining representative that provides greater leave of absence rights to employees than the rights established under these provisions.

(2) Under existing law, a classified employee may, at his or her election, use days of leave of absence for illness or injury allowed, pursuant to specified existing law.

This bill would require a classified employee hired on or after January 1, 2017, who is a military veteran with a military service-connected disability rated at 30% or more by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs be entitled to a leave of absence for illness or injury with pay of up to 12 days for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment for his or her military service-connected disability, as specified. The bill would provide that nothing in these provisions shall be construed to diminish the obligation of a public school employer to comply with any collective bargaining agreement entered into by a public school employer and an exclusive bargaining representative that provides greater leave of absence rights to employees than the rights established under these provisions.

SB 1203 by Senator Robert M. Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) - Retirement systems: joint powers authorities: benefit formulas

The California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) requires a public retirement system, as defined, to modify its plan or plans to comply with the act and, among other provisions, establishes new retirement formulas that may not be exceeded by a public employer offering a defined benefit pension plan for employees first hired on or after January 1, 2013. Existing law, the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, generally authorizes 2 or more public agencies, by agreement, to jointly exercise any common power, which may include hiring employees and establishing retirement systems.

This bill would authorize a joint powers authority to offer defined benefit plans or formulas that are not PEPRA plans or formulas provided that the plans or formulas were those the employees received prior to the creation of the authority, the employees are not new members under PEPRA, and they are employed by the authority within 180 days, as specified.

SB 1413 by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) - School districts: employee housing

Existing law establishes various housing and home loan programs throughout the state to help low-income families and other specified groups. Existing law authorizes the governing board of any school district, when leasing a building for housing of school district employees, to lease the building for any period they deem necessary.

This bill would authorize a school district to establish and implement programs, as provided, that address the housing needs of teachers and school district employees who face challenges in securing affordable housing.

Bills Vetoed by Governor (9/27/16)

AB 2621 by Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) - Employee Codes of Conduct. A veto message can be found here

AB 2707 by Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) - Stop Consumer Racial Profiling Act of 2016. A veto message can be found here

Bills Signed by Governor (9/26/16)

SB 916 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Teacher credentialing

Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to issue single subject teaching credentials only in specific subjects.

This bill would add dance and theatre to the list of authorized subjects.

Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to authorize a person who holds a certain teaching credential and who has completed 20 semester hours of coursework or 10 semester hours of upper division or graduate coursework approved by the commission at an accredited institution in any subject commonly taught in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, other than the subject for which he or she is already certificated to teach, to have this subject appear on the credential as an authorization to teach this subject.

This bill would provide that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance or theatre, respectively, is authorized to teach in dance or theatre, respectively. The bill would also provide that a person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance or theatre shall not become subject to additional requirements for the single subject teaching credential in physical education or English, respectively, as a result of the authorization provided by this bill.

SB 1375 by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) – Educational equity: sex equity in education: federal Title IX notifications

Existing law, the Sex Equity in Education Act, states the policy of the state that elementary and secondary school classes and courses, including nonacademic and elective classes and courses, be conducted without regard to the sex of the pupil enrolled in these classes or courses. Existing federal law, known as Title IX, prohibits a person, on the basis of sex, from being excluded from participation in, being denied the benefits of, or being subject to discrimination under, any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

This bill would require, on or before July 1, 2017, all public schools, private schools that receive federal funds and are subject to the requirements of Title IX, school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to post in a prominent and conspicuous location on their Internet Web sites specified information relating to Title IX. The bill would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction to annually send a letter through electronic means to all public schools, private schools that receive federal funds and are subject to the requirements of Title IX, school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools informing them of the new requirement that would be created by this bill and of their responsibilities under Title IX. Because the bill would impose additional duties on public schools, school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.

Bills Vetoed by Governor (9/26/16)

AB 1878 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer Sr. (D-Los Angeles) – Public Employees' Retirement System: state or school members: postretirement death benefit. A veto message can be found here

PHYLLIS W. CHENG, ESQ .

CALIFORNIA CASE LAW ALERT