818.501.4343January 7, 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom signed more laws in 2024 than any other governor in at least two decades. Partner Corinne Spencer and Senior Employment Counsel Cameron Stewart examined the most impactful workplace legislation changes in Daily Journal’s New Laws 2025 supplement.
AB 228 and SB 92: PAGA reform and a new chapter in wage and hour law. As a result of extensive negotiations and to avoid a ballot initiative threatening to completely restructure the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), Governor Newsom signed AB 228 and SB 92 into law on July 1, 2024, effectively reforming PAGA. Read Spencer’s article discussing the changes here.
SB 399: New ban on employer captive audience meetings. Senate Bill 399, effective January 1, 2025, called the California Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidate Act, prohibits employers from holding “captive audience meetings,” defined as employer-sponsored meetings where an employer is communicating its views and opinions about religious or political matters, including union representation. Read more about what this means for California employers in Stewart’s article.
SB 940: Civil disputes and the new State Bar ADR certification program. Senate Bill 940 authorizes the California State Bar to create a certification process for arbitrators, mediators and other non-judicial Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) providers. Stewart explains how the legislation further expands the State Bar’s public protection role and how it will help promote transparency, accountability and fairness across ADR programs. Learn more.