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    AB-1371
    Labor & Employment

    Occupational safety and health: employee refusal to perform hazardous tasks.

    Introduced
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    1
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Expands employee rights to refuse dangerous work tasks while maintaining full pay during safety disputes.
    • Requires employers to address safety concerns before workers must resume questioned tasks.
    • Prohibits any retaliation against workers who refuse hazardous assignments in good faith.
    • Grants employees the right to sue for wages if laid off or discharged for refusing unsafe work.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Sharp-Collins' workplace safety legislation expands California employees' rights to refuse hazardous work tasks while maintaining their wages. The proposed changes to the Labor Code establish specific conditions under which employees can decline assignments they reasonably believe could result in injury or illness.

    Under the bill's provisions, employees must first attempt to notify their employer about safety concerns and allow for a response addressing those concerns. If employers fail to adequately address the risks, employees can refuse the task while continuing to receive full wages until the hazard is eliminated or they are assigned alternative safe work. The legislation defines injuries and illnesses broadly, encompassing both acute conditions like cuts and fractures as well as chronic issues such as respiratory disorders and heat illness.

    The measure prohibits employers from taking disciplinary action against employees who refuse hazardous tasks under these guidelines. Employees who face retaliation or wage losses due to exercising these rights would gain explicit legal pathways to recover lost pay. The bill also removes current language specifically including domestic workers in these protections, potentially affecting their coverage under the new provisions.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Labor and Employment
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Labor and Employment
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Phillip ChenR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Heath FloraR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Alex LeeD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Chris WardD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 8 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Phillip ChenR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heath FloraR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Alex LeeD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Chris WardD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Liz OrtegaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    LaShae Sharp-Collins
    LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
    California State Assembly Member
    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

    Key Takeaways

    • Expands employee rights to refuse dangerous work tasks while maintaining full pay during safety disputes.
    • Requires employers to address safety concerns before workers must resume questioned tasks.
    • Prohibits any retaliation against workers who refuse hazardous assignments in good faith.
    • Grants employees the right to sue for wages if laid off or discharged for refusing unsafe work.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    LaShae Sharp-Collins
    LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Sharp-Collins' workplace safety legislation expands California employees' rights to refuse hazardous work tasks while maintaining their wages. The proposed changes to the Labor Code establish specific conditions under which employees can decline assignments they reasonably believe could result in injury or illness.

    Under the bill's provisions, employees must first attempt to notify their employer about safety concerns and allow for a response addressing those concerns. If employers fail to adequately address the risks, employees can refuse the task while continuing to receive full wages until the hazard is eliminated or they are assigned alternative safe work. The legislation defines injuries and illnesses broadly, encompassing both acute conditions like cuts and fractures as well as chronic issues such as respiratory disorders and heat illness.

    The measure prohibits employers from taking disciplinary action against employees who refuse hazardous tasks under these guidelines. Employees who face retaliation or wage losses due to exercising these rights would gain explicit legal pathways to recover lost pay. The bill also removes current language specifically including domestic workers in these protections, potentially affecting their coverage under the new provisions.

    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Labor and Employment
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Labor and Employment
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Phillip ChenR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Heath FloraR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Alex LeeD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Chris WardD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 8 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Phillip ChenR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heath FloraR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Alex LeeD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Chris WardD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Liz OrtegaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member