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Assembly committee advances bill to give workers access to employer training records
Summary
The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee voted to pass SB 513, a bill by Sen. Durazo requiring employers to provide employees prompt access to training and education records; sponsors and union witnesses described cases where records were withheld during layoffs.
The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee voted to pass SB 513 by Sen. Durazo, advancing the bill to the Appropriations Committee after a unanimous committee vote. The measure would require employers to make employee training and education records available so workers can document certifications and seek new employment promptly.
Supporters told the committee the bill addresses a recurring problem in which employers withhold training records — sometimes until after layoffs — leaving workers unable to prove their qualifications to potential employers. "They basically held our training records over our heads," said Regina Fleming, United Steelworkers process safety representative, describing her experience at the Phillips 66 refinery. "We have access to them 90 days ... That is going to expire December 1." Fleming said trainers had been reassigned and workers feared they would be unable to obtain documentation after layoffs.
Sen. Durazo framed SB 513 as a worker-protection measure, saying training certificates document formal skills and should be accessible when workers need them for job searches. Catherine Houston of the United Steelworkers and other union witnesses described similar experiences and urged committee members to support the bill. "It's ridiculous to have to run a bill to say we have access to our records that we have worked for our entire careers," said a witness speaking in support.
Committee members who spoke in favor called withholding records a basic injustice and emphasized the bill's straightforward remedy: ensuring workers can obtain documentation of on-the-job training and certifications without undue delay. Supporters noted the bill would help workers prepare for transitions as industry employment shifts to meet state climate goals and other changes.
The committee recorded no opposition witnesses. After brief discussion, the committee moved and seconded the bill; the secretary called the roll and read ayes. The motion carried and the measure was referred to the Appropriations Committee.
Action on SB 513 came amid other labor measures heard the same day; committee members and witnesses argued SB 513 provides a practical step to reduce barriers for laid-off or transitioning workers seeking new jobs.
