Signed into law: October 5, 2017
Governor: Jerry Brown
Status: Active Law (Effective January 1, 2018)
Why This Bill Protects Immigrant Communities
- Limits workplace immigration raids: Prohibits employers from providing voluntary consent for immigration agents to enter nonpublic areas of workplaces without a judicial warrant
- Protects employee records: Bars employers from voluntarily providing access to employee records without a subpoena, judicial warrant, or Notice of Inspection for I-9 forms
- Ensures worker notification: Requires employers to notify all employees within 72 hours when receiving a Notice of Inspection of I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification forms
- Protects affected workers: Mandates that employers notify affected employees of inspection results within 72 hours, including their rights and any deficiencies identified
- Prevents discriminatory reverification: Prohibits employers from reverifying current employees' work authorization except as required by federal law
- Creates strong penalties: Establishes civil penalties of $2,000-$5,000 for first violations and $5,000-$10,000 for subsequent violations
- Ensures representation rights: Guarantees employees the right to have representation during meetings about inspection deficiencies
- Builds workplace trust: Empowers workers to know their rights and prevents employers from facilitating immigration enforcement without proper legal authority
Key Quote
"This law strikes a balance that protects the rights of workers without inhibiting employers from complying with federal law." — California Labor Commissioner
Enforcement
Exclusive enforcement authority granted to the California Labor Commissioner and California Attorney General