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Committee advances bill directing Labor Commissioner to produce workplace rights notice
Summary
SB 294 would require the Labor Commissioner to create a template employers must use annually to notify employees of their state and federal workplace rights; the Assembly committee voted to pass the bill to the Committee on Judiciary.
Assemblymember Ortega presented SB 294 on behalf of Sen. Reyes; the committee voted to pass the bill and re‑refer it to the Judiciary Committee.
Supporters described the measure as an educational tool to clarify workers’ rights amid shifting federal policy and limited enforcement resources. Elmer Lazardi of the California Federation of Labor Unions described federal rollbacks and understaffing at enforcement agencies and said the bill will help workers "speak up or report when there are violations in their workplace." Jamile Hunt, a longtime security worker and shop steward, described an employer omitting an OSHA posting page that explained protections for reporting safety hazards; she said the bill would require a simple, clear annual notice so "no one is left in the dark."
Witnesses listed in support included SEIU, UAW, California Nurses Association, UFCW Western States Council, Equal Rights Advocates, California School Employees Association and others. One opposition witness—Marlon Lar of the California Restaurant Association—spoke in opposition; committee members recorded a motion and the secretary called the roll. The recorded vote carried and the bill was advanced out of committee.
The author’s office told the committee it is working with stakeholders to narrow portions of the bill related to workers’ compensation notice commitments previously discussed in another committee. The motion passed and the bill was reported "do pass and be re‑referred to the Committee on Judiciary."
