Workplace violence: restraining orders.

Labor

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Patel
Last action: 2026-04-16
Official status: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on implementation costs.

Workplace Violence: Making It Easier for People to Get Help

This law allows people involved in workplace violence cases to attend court hearings remotely and submit documents online without extra fees, starting July 1, 2027.

What This Bill Does

Allows any party or witness to a petition for a restraining order to appear remotely at a hearing, beginning on July 1, 2027.
Prohibits any fee for appearing remotely in hearings related to workplace violence cases.
Requires courts in each county to develop rules and instructions for remote appearances and post them on their websites.
Allows filings related to protective orders to be submitted electronically starting July 1, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

People involved in workplace violence cases
Courts in each county

Terms To Know

restraining order: A court order that tells someone to stay away from or stop contacting another person.
remote appearance: Being present at a hearing through video call or phone instead of going to the courthouse in person.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much it will cost to implement these changes.
It is unclear if there are any limits on when people can appear remotely other than starting July 1, 2027.

Bill History

2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 15).
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2179, as introduced, Patel.
Workplace violence: restraining orders.
Existing law authorizes any employer or authorized bargaining representative, as specified, whose employee has suffered unlawful violence or a credible threat of violence that can reasonably be construed to be carried out or to have been carried out at the workplace, to seek a temporary restraining order and an order after hearing on behalf of the employee and other employees at the workplace, as described.
This bill would, beginning on July 1, 2027, allow any party or witness to a petition for a restraining order to appear remotely at a hearing and would prohibit any fee for appearing remotely. The bill would require the court of each county to develop rules and instructions for such remote appearances and post them on its website. The bill would also, commencing on July 1, 2027, require courts to allow filings related to such protective orders
to be submitted electronically, as specified. The bill would make conforming changes.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF