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Bill to protect leave for occupational-injury treatment advances after labor and employer debate
Summary
AB 2098 would prohibit employers from denying leave for occupational-injury treatment when employees make reasonable efforts to schedule outside work hours; labor groups sponsored the bill and employers raised concerns about the business-necessity standard and interplay with other Labor Code protections.
Assemblymember Kalra presented AB 20 98, which would prohibit employers from denying leave to employees who need time off to seek treatment for occupational injuries, while incorporating protections to minimize operational disruption such as requiring reasonable efforts to schedule outside work hours and advance notice.
Mitch Steiger of the California Federation of Teachers, sponsor of the measure, said the bill fills a legal gap that leaves injured workers choosing between care and employment. Supporters included teachers’ and school-employee associations and labor federations. Employer groups including the California Chamber of Commerce opposed the bill unless amended, urging a different "undue hardship"/FEHA-aligned standard for the business-necessity exception and warning of compliance challenges for small businesses.
The committee voted to pass the bill to Appropriations and left the roll open; members signaled willingness to continue negotiations on the business-necessity definition and the bill’s interplay with Labor Code section 132a.
