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AB-1442 • 2026

Essential Worker Commission.

Essential Worker Commission.

Labor
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Ávila Farías (A) , Alvarez (A) , Carrillo (A) , Solache
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on the specific actions the commission can take beyond reviewing issues and creating a legal work program.

Essential Worker Commission

This legislation establishes an Essential Worker Commission within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to review issues related to essential workers, including workplace safety and wages for undocumented workers, and create a Legal Work Program to help them work legally in California.

What This Bill Does

  • Establishes the Essential Worker Commission inside the Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
  • The Commission will review, investigate, and analyze issues faced by essential workers, such as workplace safety and health protections and wages and benefits for undocumented workers.
  • It requires the Commission to establish an Essential Worker Legal Work Program to provide legal pathways for essential workers to remain in California and work lawfully.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Essential workers, especially those who do not have legal status to work in the United States.
  • The Labor and Workforce Development Agency

Terms To Know

Undocumented worker
A person working in a country without proper authorization or documentation.
Essential Worker Legal Work Program
A program created by the Essential Worker Commission to provide essential workers with legal pathways to remain and work in California.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how much funding will be provided for the commission or its programs.
  • It is unclear what specific actions the commission can take beyond reviewing issues and creating a legal work program.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-04-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  4. 2025-04-01 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on L. & E.

  5. 2025-03-28 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. & E. Read second time and amended.

  6. 2025-03-28 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on L. & E.

  7. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  8. 2025-02-22 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.

  9. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1442, as amended, Ávila Farías.
California Essential Worker and Economic Stabilization Act.
Essential Worker Commission.
Existing law establishes the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, consisting of various offices and entities, including the office of the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, and the California Workforce Development Board.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact the California Essential Worker and Economic Stabilization Act.
This bill would establish the Essential Worker Commission within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, to review, investigate, and analyze issues relating to essential workers in the state, including
workplace safety and health protections and wages and benefits for undocumented workers. The bill would require the Essential Worker Commission, based on that review, investigation, and analysis, to establish the Essential Worker Legal Work Program to provide essential workers with legal pathways to remain in California and work lawfully.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF