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2019 New Laws In California To Impact Employers, Mothers

New laws in California are set to go into effect in January, impacting employers and mothers across the state, including Santa Clarita.


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Several new laws are expected to be enacted on Jan. 1, changing the way employers respond to sexual harassment claims and requiring businesses to accommodate mothers who are breastfeeding.

“There are several laws affecting employers for 2019,” said Jeff Hacker, senior partner at Hacker Law Group. “The biggest one is a law changing sexual harassment training requirements.”

Sexual Harassment

AB 3109 — Free Speech — This bill voids any terms in a contract or settlement agreement entered into effect on or after January 1, 2019, that waives a party’s right to testify in an administrative, legislative, or judicial proceeding concerning alleged criminal conduct or alleged sexual harassment on other parties behalf.

SB 820 — Settlement Agreements — Prohibits terms in settlement agreements that prevent the disclosure of factual information relating to certain claims of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination.

AB 1619 — Statute of Limitations — This new law greatly enlarges the statute of limitations for filing a civil action for damages for sexual assault to 10 years after the alleged assault or three years after the plaintiff discovered or reasonably discovered injury as a result of the assault, whichever is later.

Board Of Directors Composition

SB 826  This new law provides for mandatory inclusion of women on corporate boards of directors.  Specifically, by the end of 2019, publicly held corporations with principal executive offices in California must have a minimum of one female director on its board, and by the end of 2021, the number would increase to two or three female members, depending on the size of the board.

Lactation Accommodation

SB 1976Currently, employers must provide a private location in close proximity to the employee’s work area, other than a toilet stall, for an employee to express breast milk. This bill brings California law into conformity with federal law by requiring that the employer provide a location other than a bathroom.

If an employer can prove that it is an undue hardship to comply with these requirements, the employer may be able to provide a location (including a bathroom) other than a toilet stall for the employee to use for lactation purposes.

Street Vending

SB 946The bill, called the “Safe Sidewalk Vending Act,” allowed for street vending to be legalized across California, prompting City of Santa Clarita staff to recommend updating the municipal code — overturning a previous ban.

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2019 New Laws In California To Impact Employers, Mothers

2 comments

  1. Hear we go again! Steer vending, Really!!! Why do we need to have street venders? We have a swap meet twice a week and more places to eat than you can count!!! This will turn our beautiful city into a third world country!!
    Have you been to downtown LA lately?? Go look, and you will see how we will be in a few years!! OMG

  2. Viva Mexclarita! Pepto-Bismol please and a trip to the hospital. Oh my.

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.