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AB-2488 • 2026

Department of Industrial Relations: occupational safety and health.

Department of Industrial Relations: occupational safety and health.

Budget Education Labor
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Schiavo
Last action
2026-04-09
Official status
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on the exact nature of the subcontracting or other entities that might be involved, beyond authorizing UC to subcontract if necessary.

Study on Worker Safety Staffing

This law requires a study by UC Berkeley and UCLA to evaluate understaffing in worker safety positions and recommend policies to improve hiring practices.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of Industrial Relations to contract with University of California, Berkeley Labor Occupational Health Program and UCLA Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program to conduct a study on understaffing within the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
  • The researchers must hold at least one well-publicized public meeting for stakeholders and the public to comment on worker safety issues.
  • Researchers need to write a report about the study findings, including information on understaffing and vacancies of Compliance Safety and Health Officers, and send it to specified government officials.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Department of Industrial Relations
  • University researchers from UC Berkeley and UCLA
  • Government officials who receive the final report

Terms To Know

Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO)
A person responsible for making sure workplaces follow safety rules.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill needs money from the Legislature before it can start.
  • It does not specify what actions should be taken based on the report's findings.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-09 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  2. 2026-03-09 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on L. & E.

  3. 2026-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

  4. 2026-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2488, as introduced, Schiavo.
Department of Industrial Relations: occupational safety and health.
Existing law establishes the Division of Occupational Safety and Health in the Department of Industrial Relations, and charges the division with the enforcement of various laws affecting safe working conditions, including the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973. Existing law requires the Director of Industrial Relations to prepare and submit to the Legislature an annual report on the activities of the division, as specified.
Existing law establishes the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, as one of the segments of postsecondary education in the state. Existing law requires the department to contract with the University of California, Los Angeles Labor Center, to conduct a study evaluating opportunities to improve worker safety and safeguard employment rights, as
specified.
This bill would require the department, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to contract with the University of California, Berkeley Labor Occupational Health Program and the University of California, Los Angeles Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program to conduct a study to evaluate the understaffing and vacancies within the division and make recommendations to the department, the Department of Human Resources, and the Legislature on policies the state shall use to inform the consideration and establishment of career pathways to the Compliance Safety and Health Officer classification. The bill would authorize the University of California, as defined, to subcontract the responsibility for conducting the study to other specified entities. The bill would require the department to cooperate and collaborate with the University of California and its subcontractors, if any, in the conduct of the study. The bill would require the University of California
and its subcontractors, if any, as part of the study, to hold at least one well-publicized and conveniently located meeting to provide an opportunity for comment by stakeholders and the public on the issues addressed in the study. The bill would require the University of California and its subcontractors, if any, to issue a report that includes certain information about the understaffing and vacancies of Compliance Safety and Health Officers within the division. The bill would require the report to be completed in 18 months, posted on the division’s internet website, and forwarded to the Governor and the chairs of specified legislative committees. The bill would define terms for these purposes.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF