Personnel records.

Senator Durazo's legislation expands California's employee record access requirements to explicitly include education and training documentation within personnel files that workers can inspect and copy. The measure adds new specifications for employers who maintain training records, requiring them to document the employee's name, training provider, duration and date of instruction, core competencies covered, and any resulting certifications or qualifications.

The bill preserves existing procedures that give current and former employees, or their representatives, the right to examine their records within 30 calendar days of a written request, with a possible 5-day extension by mutual agreement. Employers must maintain these records for at least three years after employment ends and may face a $750 penalty for failing to provide timely access. The measure retains exemptions for certain documents, including criminal investigation records, reference letters, and pre-employment materials.

For employers who maintain education and training records, the new documentation requirements create a standardized framework for tracking employee skill development and certifications. The provisions apply to all California employers except those with qualifying collective bargaining agreements that specifically address personnel record access. Local agencies implementing these changes will not receive state reimbursement, as the measure's requirements fall under existing constitutional exemptions for modifications to infractions and crimes.