All Roll Calls
Yes: 161 • No: 55
CaliforniaAB 8582025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Employment: rehiring and retention: displaced workers: natural disasters.
Sponsored By: Alex Lee (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Rules for job recall offers
When a job opens, your employer must offer it in writing to qualified laid‑off workers within five business days. They must use hand delivery or your last known address and, if they have them, email and text. You have at least five business days to accept or decline; employers may send conditional offers to several people. If more than one person qualifies, the job goes to the worker with the longest service. Employers must keep layoff and offer records for at least three years. If they hire someone else because they claim you lack qualifications, they must send you written reasons within 30 days and show the hires’ length of service.
Strong enforcement, back pay, penalties
You can file a complaint with the state labor agency (DLSE). If DLSE finds a violation, you can get reinstated or hired, back pay or front pay at the highest of your three‑year average rate, your last rate, or the rate for the job, and the value of lost benefits. Employers owe a $100 penalty per affected employee, plus $500 per employee for each day the violation continues, until fixed; these amounts are paid to you as damages. Interest is added at the state civil code rate. The Labor Commissioner can investigate, order temporary relief, issue citations, sue, and seek court orders. Employers cannot retaliate against you for using these rights. DLSE can issue rules and written guidance that have the force of law.
Which workers get recall rights
This law covers workers at hotels with 50+ rooms, private clubs with 50+ rooms, large event centers, airport hospitality and service firms, and building service providers for commercial sites. You count as an employee if you work at least two hours in a week. You get recall rights if you worked six months or more and were separated on or after March 4, 2020 for a COVID-related reason. Layoffs for lack of business, reductions in force, or other non‑disciplinary economic reasons are presumed COVID‑related unless the employer proves otherwise. Your rights continue if the business changes owners, sells most assets but keeps similar operations, or moves your worksite.
Recall protections end January 1, 2027
These recall protections remain in effect until January 1, 2027. Violations that happen on or before December 31, 2026 stay enforceable after that date.
Union waivers and local rules
A union contract can waive these rights only with clear, explicit language. One side acting alone cannot waive them. Cities and counties may adopt stronger protections or extra enforcement. You still can bring a common‑law wrongful termination claim.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Alex Lee
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Maria Elena Durazo
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/11/2025
Item 43 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 49 • No: 19
Senate vote • 9/10/2025
Item 145 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 29 • No: 10
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 5 • No: 2
legislature vote • 8/18/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/9/2025
Vote in CS56
Yes: 4 • No: 1
House vote • 6/3/2025
Item 86 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 52 • No: 19
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 10 • No: 3
legislature vote • 4/23/2025
Vote in CX14
Yes: 5 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 280, Statutes of 2025.
10/3/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/3/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
9/23/2025legislatureSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 49. Noes 19. Page 3304.).
9/11/2025HouseIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9/10/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 29. Noes 10. Page 2808.).
9/10/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/2/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
8/29/2025SenateFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 29).
8/29/2025SenateIn committee: Referred to suspense file.
8/18/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (July 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/9/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
6/26/2025SenateReferred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
6/18/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
6/4/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 52. Noes 19. Page 2023.)
6/3/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/27/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (May 23).
5/23/2025HouseIn committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
5/7/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (April 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4/24/2025HouseRe-referred to Com. on L. & E.
4/8/2025HouseFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. & E. Read second time and amended.
4/7/2025HouseReferred to Com. on L. & E.
3/3/2025HouseFrom printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
2/20/2025HouseRead first time. To print.
2/19/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/3/2025
Enrolled
9/15/2025
Amended Senate
8/29/2025
Amended Senate
6/26/2025
Amended Assembly
4/7/2025
Introduced
2/19/2025