Department of Industrial Relations: advisory committee: occupational safety and health.

Assembly Member McKinnor's proposal directs the Department of Industrial Relations to commission a comprehensive study of staffing challenges at the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), partnering with occupational health programs at UC Berkeley and UCLA to examine inspector vacancies and develop workforce training recommendations.

The study would analyze root causes of DOSH's safety inspector staffing gaps while evaluating potential solutions, including hiring process improvements, training program models, and recruitment strategies. Researchers must review existing literature on inspector shortages, identify partner organizations for workforce development, and assess how to attract candidates with relevant skills and cultural competencies matching California's diverse workforce.

An 11-14 member advisory committee would help shape the study's scope and review findings, bringing together representatives from state agencies, labor unions, worker advocacy groups, and academic institutions. The committee must hold at least two public meetings - one during the study and another to gather input on recommendations. Within 18 months of contracting, the department must publish the completed report online and distribute it to committee members, the Governor, and relevant legislative committee chairs.

The bill's implementation depends on legislative appropriation of funds. While the University of California programs may subcontract portions of the research to other academic institutions, any advisory committee recommendations that would substantially increase costs or delay completion cannot be incorporated into the final study.