Plain English Breakdown
The bill status is 'Vetoed,' meaning it did not become law unless a legislative override occurred, which is noted as uncertain in the official metadata.
AB-1136: Employment Rules for Immigration Status
This vetoed bill would have required larger employers to provide unpaid leave and job protection rights to employees dealing with immigration matters.
What This Bill Does
- Requires employers to allow up to 5 unpaid working days in a year for appointments or meetings related to an employee's immigration status, work authorization, or visa status.
- Mandates that certain terminated employees be reinstated if they were fired for lacking proper work documents but later provide valid authorization.
- Orders employers to place detained employees on unpaid leave of absence while awaiting release from detention, up to a maximum of 12 months.
- Prohibits firing or disciplining staff based solely on their immigration status or because they are subject to deportation proceedings, provided the employee is authorized to work in the U.S.
- Assigns the Labor Commissioner as the agency responsible for enforcing these rules.
Who It Names or Affects
- Public and private employers with more than 25 employees.
- Employees who face immigration hearings, detention, or need time to update work authorization documents.
- The California Labor Commissioner's office.
Terms To Know
- Unpaid leave
- Time away from work where the employee does not receive pay but keeps their job status or right to return.
- Reinstatement
- Returning an employee to their former job classification without losing seniority, provided they show proper work authorization.
- Collective bargaining agreement
- A contract between a union and employer that sets rules for workers; this bill would not override existing agreements on leave or reinstatement rights.
Limits and Unknowns
- The governor vetoed the bill, so it did not become law.
- Employers with 25 or fewer employees are exempt from these requirements.
- These rules were set to stop working on July 1, 2029, and be fully repealed by January 1, 2030.