20250SB__061794CHP INTRODUCED 2025-02-20 AMENDED_SENATE 2025-03-24 AMENDED_ASSEMBLY 2025-06-27 AMENDED_ASSEMBLY 2025-08-27 PASSED_ASSEMBLY 2025-09-02 PASSED_SENATE 2025-09-04 ENROLLED 2025-09-05 CHAPTERED 2025-10-01 APPROVED 2025-10-01 FILED 2025-10-01 2025 SB CHP CHP 0 Introduced by Senator Arreguín LEAD_AUTHOR SENATE Arreguín

An act to amend

Section of the Labor Code, relating to employment. employment California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act. Existing law, the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act, governs mass layoffs, relocations, and terminations. Existing law prohibits an employer, with certain exceptions, from ordering a mass layoff, relocation, or termination at a covered establishment without giving prescribed written notice to the employees, the Employment Development Department, and other local agencies.

This bill would require employers to include in the notice whether the employer plans to coordinate services through the local workforce development board or another entity, as specified, and information regarding the statewide food assistance program known as CalFresh, as specified. MAJORITY NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section of the Labor Code is amended to read: 1401. (

a) An employer may not order a mass layoff, relocation, or termination at a covered establishment unless, 60 days before the order takes effect, the employer gives written notice of the order to the following:

(1) The employees of the covered establishment affected by the order.

(2) The Employment Development Department, the local workforce development board, and the chief elected official of each city and county government within which the termination, relocation, or mass layoff occurs. (

b) An employer required to give notice of any mass layoff, relocation, or termination under this

chapter shall include in its notice the elements required by the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (29 U.S.C.

Sec. 2101 et seq.). (

c) An employer required to give notice of any mass layoff, relocation, or termination under this

chapter shall include in the notice whether the employer plans to coordinate services, such as a rapid response orientation, through the local workforce development board, the employer plans to coordinate services through a different entity, or the employer does not plan to coordinate services with any entity.

(1) Regardless of whether the employer chooses to coordinate services with the local workforce development board or another entity, the employer shall include in the notice a functioning email and telephone number of the board and the following description of the rapid response activities offered by the local workforce development board in accordance with

Chapter 32 (commencing with

Section 3102) of Title of the United States Code: “Local Workforce Development Boards and their partners help laid off workers find new jobs. Visit an America’s Job Center of California location near you. You can get help with your resume, practice interviewing, search for jobs, and more. You can also learn about training programs to help start a new career.”

(2) If the employer chooses to coordinate services with the local workforce development board or another entity, the employer shall arrange services within days from the date of the notice. (

d) An employer required to give notice of any mass layoff, relocation, or termination under this

chapter shall include in the notice a description of the statewide food assistance program known as CalFresh (Chapter 10 (commencing with

Section 18900) of Part of Division of the Welfare and Institutions Code), the CalFresh benefits helpline, and a link to the CalFresh internet website. (

e) An employer required to give notice of any mass layoff, relocation, or termination under this

chapter shall include in the notice a functioning email and telephone number of the employer for contact. (

f) Notwithstanding the requirements of subdivision (a), an employer is not required to provide notice if a mass layoff, relocation, or termination is necessitated by a physical calamity or act of war.