Amongst the stress and uncertainty of this time during the COVID-19 crises, California legislature is seemingly making life harder for business owners. The California Chamber of Commerce recently shared its yearly list of what’s known as “job killer” bills, as they come with the concern and risk of potentially hurting the state’s economy and business owners’ ability to keep their employees or rehire workers.
The following bills are up for proposal, meaning they haven’t been passed yet, and we’re going to stay on top of them to ensure our clients have all of the latest information.
- Bill AB196, AB664, and SB893 Presumption of Injury
Bill AB196 increases workers’ compensation costs by labeling any essential worker who contracts COVID-19 as a workplace injury. Bill AB664 requires public employers and public and private hospitals to provide additional compensation to their employees for temporary housing costs if they are exposed to or contract COVID-19, or another communicable disease. SB893 affects public and private hospitals by assuming that certain diseases are a result of the workplace, bringing this into the private sector as well.
- Bill AB1107 Massive Unemployment and Tax Increases
AB1107 increases payroll taxes for employers to contribute to a 130% increase in unemployment payments.
- Bill AB2999 New Protected Leave
Bill AB2999 requires employers to provide unpaid bereavement leave of up to 10 days, no matter how long the employee has worked for the employer. This bill also includes the possibility for litigation.
- Bill AB3075 Public Shaming
Bill AB3075 allows for public shaming of corporations by local jurisdictions based on unclear and unfair standards. Your city or country can set their own wage payment requirements that are even stricter than state requirements and impose them on businesses. If employers choose not to follow them, they can be publically shamed.
- Bill AB3216COVID-19 Leave Mandate
This bill provides unlimited job-protected leave for reasons of family and medical for all employees in any size business for anything COVID-19 related.
- Bill SB1399 Increased Costs and Liabilities for the Apparel Industry
The apparel industry will have to have a $600,000 bond to function, potentially causing many businesses to close, according to the Chamber.
COVID-19 has brought stress for many of us, particularly business owners who may be questioning how the future looks for their business. We aim to give hope and knowledge to California business owners, and its worth noting that last year when there were 31 “job killer” bills proposed, only two made it to the Governor and just one was passed. We at Pacific Premier Insurance appreciate everything you do to contribute to your community!