Hot Issues This Week: Secret Settlements, Curbside Alcohol, Kinetic Energy Projectiles, and More

Business

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signs AB 3350, which makes Empire State contractors on construction projects jointly liable for wages owed to employees of their subcontractors. The law further allows contractors to demand payroll information from subcontractors and withhold payment to those entities if the information is not provided.

The California Senate gives final approval to SB 9, a bill that would allow homeowners to build either two houses or a duplex on property where now only one single-family dwelling is acceptable. Lawmakers also endorse SB 10, which would allow local government to rezone single-family parcels to allow as many as 10 units near public transit hubs and within urban areas. Both measures move to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for consideration.

The California Senate approves SB 331, which would ban employers from using secret settlements to prevent workers from speaking out about harassment or discrimination. It also moves to Gov. Newsom.

The California Senate gives final approval to SB 389, which would make permanent a temporary measure that allows restaurants to sell alcohol as part of to-go orders. It moves to Gov. Newsom.

The California Assembly gives final approval to AB 825, which requires companies or government agencies that collect genetic data on consumers to notify those consumers of a data breach. It moves to the governor.

The California Assembly gives final endorsement to AB 1003, which would make the intentional theft of wages, benefits or compensation punishable as grand theft. The bill, which sets the standards at theft of over $950 from one employee and over $2,350 from two or more employees in any 12 consecutive month period, moves to the governor’s office.

Education

The California Assembly gives final approval to AB 101, which would add the completion of a one-semester course in ethnic studies to high school graduation requirements, beginning with students graduating in the 2029-30 school year. It moves to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who vetoed a similar proposal last year.

The California Senate gives final endorsement to SB 224, which would require mental health instruction in middle schools and high schools that have an existing health education course. It moves to the governor’s office.

Social Policy

The California Senate gives final to SB 2, which would allow the state to decertify police officers found guilty of wrongdoing. The measure would also create a state advisory board made up of mostly civilians without policing experience to investigate serious misconduct allegations and make recommendations to the commission on whether to revoke an officer’s certification. It too has gone to Newsom for consideration.

The California Assembly gives final approval to AB 48, which bars the use of kinetic energy projectiles, i.e., rubber bullets, or chemical agents by any law enforcement agency to disperse any assembly, protest, or demonstration, except in compliance with specified standards. Prohibits their use solely due to a violation of an imposed curfew, verbal threat, or non-compliance with a law enforcement directive. The proposal moves to Gov. Newsom.

--Compiled by RICH EHISEN