AB-1331 • 2026

Workplace surveillance.

Labor Privacy

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Elhawary
Last action: 2025-09-13
Official status: Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Limón.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details about enforcement mechanisms beyond authorizing public prosecutors to bring actions.

Workplace Surveillance Rules

This law restricts employers from using surveillance tools in certain areas of the workplace, allows workers to leave behind tracking devices when entering private spaces or during off-duty hours, and sets penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

Limits what kinds of surveillance tools employers can use to watch their employees.
Forbids employers from watching workers in employee-only areas they designate.
Gives workers the right to leave behind devices that track them when entering certain private spaces or during off-duty hours.
Sets a civil penalty of $500 per violation for employers who break these rules.

Who It Names or Affects

Employers who use workplace surveillance tools
Workers in workplaces with surveillance systems

Terms To Know

Workplace Surveillance Tools: Devices used by employers to watch or track their employees, like cameras or GPS trackers.
Employee-Only Areas: Spaces in the workplace that are meant only for workers and not open to customers or visitors.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if an employer violates the rules after it becomes law.
It is unclear how this will be enforced in different types of workplaces.

Bill History

2025-09-13 California Legislative Information
Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Limón.
2025-09-08 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-09-04 California Legislative Information
Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
2025-09-02 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 29).
2025-08-18 California Legislative Information
In committee: Referred to suspense file.
2025-07-17 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-16 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 2.) (July 15).
2025-06-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (June 25). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2025-06-19 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
2025-06-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on L., P.E. & R. and JUD.
2025-06-09 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-05 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 55. Noes 15. Page 2113.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (May 23).
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-05-01 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.
2025-04-29 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2025-04-28 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2025-04-24 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 10. Noes 3.) (April 22).
2025-04-21 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
2025-04-10 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. Read second time and amended.
2025-04-03 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (April 2). Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
2025-03-28 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on L. & E., P. & C.P. and JUD.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2025-02-22 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1331, as amended, Elhawary.
Workplace surveillance.
Existing law establishes the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement within the Department of Industrial Relations. Existing law authorizes the division, which is headed by the Labor Commissioner, to enforce the Labor Code and all labor laws of the state the enforcement of which is not specifically vested in any other officer, board or commission.
This bill would limit the use of workplace surveillance tools, as defined, by employers, including by prohibiting an employer from monitoring or surveilling workers in employee-only, employer-designated areas, as specified. The bill would provide workers with the right to leave behind workplace surveillance tools that are on their person or in their possession when entering certain employee-only areas and public bathrooms and during off-duty hours, as specified. The bill would prohibit a worker from
removing or physically tampering with any component of a workplace surveillance tool that is part of or embedded in employer equipment or vehicles.
This bill would subject an employer who violates the bill to a civil penalty of $500 per violation and would authorize a public prosecutor to bring specified enforcement actions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF