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Senate labor committee backs bill to preserve workers' right to wear face coverings
Summary
AB 596 would allow employees to wear face coverings at work unless doing so creates a clear safety hazard; committee approved the bill and sent it to appropriations after testimony from unions and limited opposition calling for narrow regulatory language alignment.
The California State Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement passed AB 596 to the Committee on Appropriations. The bill would protect an employee's right to wear a face covering or respirator at work unless the employer can show the covering "creates a clear safety hazard." Supporters said the measure restores a portion of COVID-era Cal/OSHA protections that expired in February 2025.
Assemblymember McKenna, the bill's author, said AB 596 "simply restores this important protection" and noted amendments to allow employers to require momentary removal of coverings for identification when doing so does not present a…
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