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Committee advances bill to allow e‑filings, remote appearances for workplace‑violence restraining orders
Summary
AB 21 79, carried by Assemblymember Patel, would allow electronic filings and remote appearances for workplace violence restraining orders to reduce burdens and safety risks for petitioners; the subcommittee advanced the measure and recorded favorable votes during roll call.
Assemblymember Patel presented AB 21 79 to expand electronic filing and remote appearance procedures to workplace violence restraining orders (WVROs), aligning WVROs with other protective orders. Patel and cosponsors argued that in‑person filings can create transportation burdens and safety risks for employees and witnesses, and that remote options improve access and safety.
Sharon Gonzales, testifying on behalf of the City of Carlsbad (a cosponsor), said the change is a narrowly tailored fix to close a gap in earlier legislation that authorized e‑filings and remote appearances for many protective orders but did not include WVROs. Multiple local governments, labor unions and district attorney representatives spoke in support, citing improved access and safety for workers.
The subcommittee took a motion to pass AB 21 79 and recorded roll‑call responses; the item was advanced as part of the calendar actions. Sponsors requested an aye vote and the bill was moved forward for further processing.
Why it matters: AB 21 79 aims to make workplace protections more accessible and safer for employees by modernizing court filing and appearance procedures; proponents framed it as a practical, safety‑oriented update rather than a broad procedural overhaul.
Next steps: The committee advanced AB 21 79 and placed the motion on the calendar to be finalized as part of the committee’s consent and calendar process.
