California Municipal Law Blog
category:
Employment Law

The Fair Chance Act: Applicants with Criminal Convictions

by on February 29, 2024

posted in Administrative Regulations, Employment Law, Uncategorised,

The Fair Chance Act is a California Law enacted in 2017 (and took effect on January 1, 2018) that is part of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (Government Code 12952 et. seq.) prohibiting employers with five or more employees from asking applicants about criminal convictions before making job offers to them.  In some places these laws are referred to as “Ban The Box” laws. What exactly does this Act prohibit? 1. Employers cannot list questions on job application forms asking about criminal conviction history before a conditional job offer is made. 2. Employers cannot ask about ... Continue Reading

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Labor and Employment Law Updates for 2024

by on January 21, 2024

posted in Employment Law,

Effective January 1, 2024 (unless otherwise noted) Senate Bill 616: Sick Leave SB 616 adds a variety of provisions to the Labor Code starting with Section 245.5. Its provisions apply to both public and private employees and generally apply to employees covered by a collective bargaining unit as to the number of sick days provided.  However, the legislation does supersede MOU’s or other local policies as set out below.  The Amendment increases the minimum number of paid six days per year from 3 to 5 day increases the cap on paid sick days from 6 to 10 per year and from 48 to ... Continue Reading

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New COVID-19 Law Takes Effect

by on March 19, 2021

posted in Employee Benefits, Employment Law, Legislative Updates,

Governor Newson recently signed SB 95.  The law is effective not only immediately but retroactively to January 1, 2021.  As discussed more below, the law provides supplemental paid sick leave for all employees of an employer with 25 or more employees, with special rules for firefighters, when the employee is unable to work or telework if as a result of COVID-19. Retroactivity The law is in effect retroactively to January 1, 2021, and through September 30, 2021. Notice must be provided by posting the attached notice or emailing it to those employees who are not present at the workplace. The notice ... Continue Reading

tags: COVID-19, Labor Commissioner, SB 95,

State Budget Plan Includes Reimbursement for Local Government Agencies Required to Participate in MMBA Fact Finding

by on April 14, 2020

posted in Employment Law, Unions,

The requirement in Government Code 3505.4, as amended by AB1606 (2012), that local government agencies participate in Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (“MMBA”) Fact-Finding when certain conditions are met after reaching impasse has been determined by the Commission on State Mandates to be a state-mandated activity with reimbursable costs.  The initial program established by AB 646 in 2011 had previously been held not to be a mandated requirement.  ... Continue Reading

tags: Bargaining, Commission on State Mandates, Fact-finding, Meyers Milias Brown Act, State mandates,

New Laws Take Effect in 2020: General Municipal Update

by on January 21, 2020

posted in Employment Law, Legislative Updates, Public Records Act, Public Utilities, Water,

Introduction The majority of the bills from 2019 addressed wildfires, affordable housing and emergency/homeless shelters.  The housing bills from last year will be addressed in a separate post.  A separate post on new bills affecting law enforcement will also be added.  ... Continue Reading

tags: data collection, gender diversity, Independent Contractors, New laws, planning, public works, Sexual Harassment Training, surplus property, urban water retailers, wages, zoning,