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CaliforniaSB 5132025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Personnel records.

Sponsored By: Maria Elena Durazo (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Limits and exceptions on record access

Your access stops while a lawsuit about a personnel matter is pending. Employers do not have to provide records while you are required to be working. Some items are excluded, like criminal‑investigation files, letters of reference, and pre‑hire or exam records. Public‑agency workers must use the agency’s employee‑relations board first, if one exists. Former workers get one request the employer must fulfill per year. Employers only need to follow up to 50 representative‑filed requests per calendar month. If a valid union contract covers wages, hours, and conditions, has a records‑inspection process, pays premium overtime, and sets regular pay at least 30% above the state minimum, this law does not apply. Employers may remove nonsupervisory coworkers’ names from records before sharing.

Penalties and court help on records

If your employer misses the deadline to let you inspect or copy, you or the Labor Commissioner can recover $750. You can sue for a court order and recover costs and reasonable attorney fees. Breaking this law is an infraction, and an employer may claim impossibility as a defense when not caused by illegal acts.

Faster access to your personnel file

You and your authorized representative can inspect and copy your personnel records, including training, education, performance, and grievances. Ask in writing or use the employer’s form, which must be given on a verbal request to your supervisor or the named contact. Records must be ready within 30 calendar days, or up to 35 days if you both agree in writing. Copy fees are capped at the employer’s actual cost; mailed copies for former employees require paying actual postage. Current workers can inspect at the worksite or another agreed place and must not lose pay if it’s off‑site. Employers may name who receives requests, verify identity, and must keep your records for at least three years after you leave. Former workers inspect where records are stored unless you both agree otherwise; if fired for law violations or harassment/violence, access can be within a reasonable drive or by mail.

Standard details in training records

Training records must list your name, the trainer, the date and length. They must list the core skills taught, including equipment or software, and any certificate or qualification you earned.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Maria Elena Durazo

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Timothy Grayson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ash Kalra

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 132 • No: 10

House vote • 9/3/2025

Item 201 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 78 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/20/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 14 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/9/2025

Vote in CX14

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/28/2025

Item 61 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 29 • No: 9

legislature vote • 3/26/2025

Vote in CS56

Yes: 4 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 654, Statutes of 2025.

    10/11/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/11/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.

    9/9/2025legislature

  4. In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

    9/4/2025Senate

  5. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 2866.) Ordered to the Senate.

    9/3/2025House

  6. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    8/21/2025House

  7. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (August 20).

    8/20/2025House

  8. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    7/10/2025House

  9. Coauthors revised.

    7/10/2025House

  10. Referred to Com. on L. & E.

    6/5/2025House

  11. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

    5/28/2025House

  12. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 29. Noes 9. Page 1307.) Ordered to the Assembly.

    5/28/2025Senate

  13. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    5/7/2025Senate

  14. Ordered to second reading.

    5/6/2025Senate

  15. Read third time and amended.

    5/6/2025Senate

  16. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    4/22/2025Senate

  17. From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.

    4/21/2025Senate

  18. Set for hearing April 21.

    4/4/2025Senate

  19. April 7 hearing postponed by committee.

    4/3/2025Senate

  20. Set for hearing April 7.

    3/28/2025Senate

  21. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1. Page 568.) (March 26). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    3/26/2025Senate

  22. Set for hearing March 26.

    3/18/2025Senate

  23. Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.

    2/26/2025Senate

  24. From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 22.

    2/20/2025Senate

  25. Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    2/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/11/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    9/5/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    5/6/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    2/19/2025

    HTML

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