SB-617 • 2026

California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act.

Labor

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Arreguín
Last action: 2025-10-01
Official status: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 229, Statutes of 2025.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific information on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance, leaving these areas uncertain.

California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act

This law requires employers to provide additional information in notices about mass layoffs or closures, including details on local workforce development board services and the CalFresh food assistance program.

What This Bill Does

Requires employers to include whether they plan to coordinate with a local workforce development board for help after layoffs or closures in their notice.
Includes information about the CalFresh food assistance program in notices sent during mass layoffs, relocations, or terminations.

Who It Names or Affects

Employers who have to give notice under the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act.
Workers at companies where there are mass layoffs, relocations, or terminations.

Terms To Know

CalFresh: A food assistance program in California that helps people buy groceries.
Workforce development board: An organization that assists workers with job placement and training after losing their job or having a company close down.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the consequences for employers who fail to include required information in notices.
It is unclear how local agencies will enforce this law.

Bill History

2025-10-01 California Legislative Information
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 229, Statutes of 2025.
2025-10-01 California Legislative Information
Approved by the Governor.
2025-09-09 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
2025-09-04 California Legislative Information
Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 2511.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
2025-09-03 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
2025-09-02 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 2819.) Ordered to the Senate.
2025-08-27 California Legislative Information
Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-27 California Legislative Information
Read third time and amended.
2025-08-25 California Legislative Information
Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-25 California Legislative Information
From consent calendar on motion of Assembly Member Garcia.
2025-08-21 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 20).
2025-07-10 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-06-27 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L. & E.
2025-06-05 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on L. & E.
2025-05-28 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2025-05-28 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 1272.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2025-05-13 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-12 California Legislative Information
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
2025-05-02 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 12.
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 967.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-11 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 30.
2025-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
2025-03-05 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 617, Arreguín.
California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act.
Existing law, the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act, governs mass layoffs, relocations, and terminations. Existing law prohibits an employer, with certain exceptions, from ordering a mass layoff, relocation, or termination at a covered establishment without giving prescribed written notice to the employees, the Employment Development Department, and other local agencies.
This bill would require employers to include in the notice whether the employer plans to coordinate services through the local workforce development board or another entity, as specified, and information regarding the
statewide food assistance program known as CalFresh, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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