For practicing Muslims, Ramadan began on March 10, 2024, and concludes on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Ramadan is a month in the Islamic calendar devoted to fasting and prayer. Although not all Muslim students participate in fasting during this month, many schools throughout California do serve students who are abstaining from food and drink from
Legislation
What Employers Need to Know about California’s New Reproductive Loss Leave Law
It was Friday July 5, 2013. I was sitting in my doctor’s office. I was desperately hoping I was fine, but had a sinking feeling I was having a miscarriage. The doctor’s office was packed because it was closed the day before. I was anxious, scared, and had a current of emotions coursing through me.
Pending Legislation Hinders Ability of Public Agencies to Maintain Essential Services During a Strike
Editorial note: On October 8, 2023, Governor Newsom vetoed AB 504. His veto message stated, “Unfortunately, this bill is overly broad in scope and impact. The bill has the potential to seriously disrupt or even halt the delivery of critical public services, particularly in places where public services are co-located. This could have significant, negative…
2023 Legislative Session: Employment Bills to Watch
The 2023 legislative session is well underway, and a number of bills have been introduced that could significantly impact California employers if they become law.
However, we anticipate that at least some of these bills will undergo substantial amendment as they work their way through the Legislature, meaning that, if these bills pass, the new…
Complying with Your Agency’s Title VI Obligations
California public agencies often accept funds, grants, and other federal financial assistance either directly from a federal department or agency, or indirectly through a California department or agency. Typically, when a public agency accepts federal financial assistance – either directly or indirectly – it must comply with specific obligations as a condition of receipt. Often…
Noncitizen Voting in Local School Board Elections
Across the country, cities have been considering legislation that would allow all residents over age 18 to vote in local school board elections, regardless of citizenship status. Supporters of this movement argue that because noncitizens pay local taxes, volunteer at schools, and participate in school board meetings, they should be able to have a…
Pending Legislative Bills Relevant to Public Agencies – Awaiting the Governor’s Signature or Veto
January 1, 2020 may bring a number of significant changes to California law for public employers. Following the end of the Legislative Session on September 13, 2019, a number of proposed laws were passed by the Assembly and Senate and now await final approval by Governor Gavin Newson. He has until October 13, 2019 to…
California Legislation to Watch in The Final Journey to the Governor’s Desk
The California Legislature is working hard to push bills through to the general assembly and senate votes that are scheduled for September. A number of bills making their way to that final vote are noteworthy for public employers.
PERB, Firefighters and the Right-to-Sue
Right-to-sue notices may not be just for Department of Fair Housing and…
California Legislation Seeks to Limit Public Agency Activities Surrounding Immigration Enforcement and Religious Freedom
In December 2016, shortly after the November 8 presidential election, members of the California Legislature introduced for consideration a series of bills addressing immigration enforcement. Within the series, three bills would place limitations on a public agency’s ability to participate in federal immigration enforcement efforts and collect personal information regarding an individual’s religion, national origin…
New State Laws Establish Gender Identity, Gender Expression, And Genetic Information As Protected Classifications
This guest post was authored by Connie C. Almond
The Governor recently signed into law AB 887 and SB 559, which prohibit harassment and/or discrimination based on gender identity and expression, and genetic information, respectively.
Individuals who are transgender identify themselves with a gender that is different from their “assigned” sex. The term…